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Originally Posted by docbungle
Let's get rid of the assumption that I pay minimum wage. I don't know where that assumption came from, but I pay much better than that. Let's also get rid of the assumption that I treat my employees like crap, especially teenagers. I have a lot of teen friends. Just because I am venting on my favorite forum does not mean that I speak, act or even remotely behave this way while at work. Finally, let's get rid of the assumptions that all I hire is dead-end kids with no work experience and that I do not provide superb training.
I pay well and employ a wide spectrum of age groups; currently the youngest is 18 (well, was) and the oldest is 43. Pretty equal mix of male and female. Part-time and full-time. The job is retail, which I admit is a bit of a drag, but the benifits are plentifull and there are lots of bonuses based on performance. Plus the schedule is very flexible. I get good strong performance out of most employees, and make fair concessions for those who require them. I hire handicapped, elderly, black, white, young, spanish, etc...and on and on. Everyone is treated equally to the best of my ability. I am held accountable for my behavior just like I hold my employees accountable for theirs.
Having said that, I find it very difficult to find good help in the
17 - 19 (or, high-school) age range. More times than not, (but of course not ALL the time) regardless of how the interview went or how much time is spent training, or how good they start out, their lifestyle ends up getting in the way of work. Calling in sick when they are actually just hung over and that type of thing. This seems typical of those who are not attending college yet. I offer tuition assistance, which brings a lot of young applicants my way. And those who use it are quite often great employees. But they are the minority.
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Slim, I don't know where from my posts you get the assumption that I have a "lack of control" or am overly stern in punishment of employees. I am stern when I need to be and I make the job as fun and interesting as possible. There is a limit to all of this, of course, as it is not a party but a job. Things need to get done. Everyone seems to be making excuses for these poor crappy workers. I give them a chance; if they mess up I give them the benefit of the doubt, just like I do everyone else. But if they repeatedly ignore what they are told, or repeatedly miss scheduled shifts, then the playtime is over. I am not here to entertain them. I have a business to run.
And, um, no, I didn't walk uphill in the snow...etc...etc...but a lot of people out there seem to be sliding downhill in the snow, fast, and at the bottom is a...well...nothing, actually.