Growing A Work Ethic

[tuscarorarain]

Is it just me or do a lot of children and teens have no work ethic? I remember working hard growing up. When I got hired I worked hard to earn my keep. Now days people get jobs with the idea that management owes them a paycheck and they don't owe anyone anything. What are your opinions?

[EDW39A]

Many don't get hired in the first place, because they can't tell the boss how they can improve or help the company. Some people never consider they are being hired to help their manger. Or that the money although their main reason for working doesn't stop them from going the extra mile. They figure I am not being paid enough or the is not my job or in my job description. Nothing new, but more competition out there now.

[sdecaro558]

It's a different time.  I don't think the problem is a lack of work ethic on the part of teens and young adults.  I'm 28, and my work ethic since I started working has been great.  The problem is that in the past, your company would generally take care of you.  Nowadays, companies are only out to make money, and will kick you to the curb at the first chance they get if you are no longer needed.  Because companies are only "using" their employees, employees are only "using" the companies for a paycheck.  Why care about the company you work for if said company doesn't care about you?  Doesn't mean I'm not going to do a good job, but it does mean that at the end of the day, I don't owe my company any loyalty or anything.

[Boise40]

I know that I worked hard when I was younger and I continue to work hard in everything that I do. I think that working on a farm when I was younger has helped me to become a hard worker. I also work hard at my current job even if its not that great. It hasn't pay off very well since I'm still doing the same thing 2 years later. You would think they give me a better position by now. I wish I could quit but, I haven't found another job yet

[heroftimes]

This is about the best statement anyone could make.  Perfectly sums up the typical american jobs landscape.

It's a different time.  I don't think the problem is a lack of work ethic on the part of teens and young adults.  I'm 28, and my work ethic since I started working has been great.  The problem is that in the past, your company would generally take care of you.  Nowadays, companies are only out to make money, and will kick you to the curb at the first chance they get if you are no longer needed.  Because companies are only "using" their employees, employees are only "using" the companies for a paycheck.  Why care about the company you work for if said company doesn't care about you?  Doesn't mean I'm not going to do a good job, but it does mean that at the end of the day, I don't owe my company any loyalty or anything.

[tuscarorarain]

I know that I worked hard when I was younger and I continue to work hard in everything that I do. I think that working on a farm when I was younger has helped me to become a hard worker. I also work hard at my current job even if its not that great. It hasn't pay off very well since I'm still doing the same thing 2 years later. You would think they give me a better position by now. I wish I could quit but, I haven't found another job yet

Lot of good replies here. It really makes me think. I have been trying hard to get a job and ask for prayers from my brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus the Lord. I had an interview in Texas, but I won't know til the end of next week. Feels like I am sitting on pin needles. This is what I graduated college for. I worked so hard for this. Really hoping I get it even though I would have to move to get the job.

[lizandhobbes]

Unfortunately I work with a lot of people with no work ethic.  They do their job (barely) and that's it.  They don't bother to help anyone else because they have the mentality of "that's not my job".  It's sad, but you're right.  That's the way people think now.

[vickysue]

It has been that way for a long time, having worked in a large dept. store, we would hire a lot of college students part time. And all they seem to care about was guys, girls and partying. The attuide was i am in college and know it all. Or they didn't want to do grunt work. I always would rather hire a retired senior. I knew they would work and was glad to get it. Even after i left there when i got married and moved to a small town that i could get a job and i did.  I don't think they were raised with any work ethics at home. And that is where it begins,

[landonb82]

Well, the stress level is higher now for teenagers than it used to be, which could be some of it but, I think that companies should make applications that actually make the teens think about the job before they apply. Also, some do work very hard and get good grades too but, nonetheless I think good parenting requires making your children work for what they want, so they are not spoiled.

[Tresbn00]

I think that the sense of entitlement that people have with regard to getting paid is sad, funny and often times frustrating. I work harder than most at every job that I am currently holding down and look at each job as a blessing after having worked at some really bad jobs.  People get offended at the silliest things and think that they need to quit at the drop of a hat. They need to realize that the job market isn't that great and that they are blessed to have a job. If their job sucks they need to work even harder to move up or at least make a good impression on someone who may hire them down the road.

[tzs]

It starts with the parents, and everyone involved in raising the kid to begin with.  Your child might look up to you, and YOU might have a great work ethic, but that doesn't necessarily mean that your kid looks up to your ideas about ethics. Reguardless if you enstill these great values in today's youth They might better identify with a lazy bother or sister or other family member that lives much look more appealing, and the fact that they have no work ethic at all might just seal the deal.  The difference between others and you as a parent is that you know that those lazy folk aren't really happy about the way they are, and you can encourage your kid to strive for something more than the mundane, lazy, and selfishness that comes with the "low work ethic".

[diala84]

I think it is disconcerting when you see the people above you in the career ladder and they do so little work, complain all the time but sit around chatting all day long about non-work issues. You are the one taking care of their mess and working your butt off and don't get any appreciation or any support in moving up the chain at work. Why work hard if it doesn't lead to anything better than where you are and obviously the bosses didn't get there by working hard it was about sucking up to certain people in the company. This system rewards certain kinds of people and hard workers are hardly ever promoted because they are too valuable right at the bottom doing the grunt work. 

[dauna]

The preceding post resonates with me because I see a lot of this where I am now.  If the best you can do doesn't get you anywhere, and if a half-baked effort is all that is required in order for you to maintain your status quo--why keep beating your head against a brick wall?  I know that isn't a very lofty attitude, but I certainly do understand how someone could develop that attitude.

[workmama]

Is it just me or do a lot of children and teens have no work ethic? I remember working hard growing up. When I got hired I worked hard to earn my keep. Now days people get jobs with the idea that management owes them a paycheck and they don't owe anyone anything. What are your opinions?

I agree with you. The last time I worked with teenagers, I was disgusted on how they just did nothing or was just plain lazy. All they seemed to care about was making fun of someone or talking throughout their entire shift!! 
When I was a teenager, I worked hard and my mom made me get a job as soon as I turned 16. I had to give half of my paycheck to my parents to help with the bills and groceries around the house. I used to get so mad because I wanted the whole paycheck for myself. Now I am thankful my mom taught me to help your family. I guess she was preparing me for what would really happen once I became a mother, which is you work and you work hard for your family.
Teenagers today also seemed to lack the importance of family. I can only hope that what I teach my son lets him grow up respecting me and his father and having good work ethic. 

  ~workmama~ 

[godlovesus]

I totally agree with you.  Kids these days always think someone owes them something.