I Hate Working With Kids

[Dr.Midnight]

This would probably sound better if I wrote it when I wasn't frustrated, but the heck with it. I'm responsible for getting several projects done at IU, and those projects have to get done while the students are on break. The 24 year old guy that was assigned to help me, that's a kid to me by the way, calls me this morning and says he got fouled really hard playing basketball at the YMCA and sprained his ankle really bad. He won't be in today, which means I'm rolling solo trying to keep up today. Thank goodness he didn't crash his skateboard or wreck his BMX bike.

Just so I don't sound too bad, this kid has a history of stupid things happening to him, most his own doing. This morning's frustration is partly due to the feeling of "here we go again".

 

[Scout]

So he gets out of doing work, but still gets credit for the work being done?

 

[churchmouse]

Most of what happens to us in this life is self induced....both good/bad and in between.

Think back. Life looks so much different when you are in the early 20's.

Not making excuses for him as some are just seriously out in left field but memory's of those days makes me cringe.....well, a little.

 

[CindyE]

At 24, I was working every chance I got, and trying to prove myself. It's not just "kids", there are some in their mid-30s still pulling this crap. Sometimes they have legitimate reasons, but the other 90% of their stupid absences makes it hard to be sympathetic.

 

[Snapdragon]

[video=youtube;Sz0o9clVQu8]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sz0o9clVQu8[/video]

Disclaimer: Of course I know that all young people are not like this. Still, as a college professor, I recognize that many of the points made here represent recent trends.

I love how "Chet" is texting while his boss is praising him.

 

[Vamptepes]

Currently 24. Turned 24 in november. I've been working since 15. Live on my own etc. I think a lot of this is how people are raised and also just how mature they are. I have had people older then me who I work with screw around more then the younger kids. Calling in for no reason etc. Some people never learn though.

 

[CindyE]

Currently 24. Turned 24 in november. I've been working since 15. Live on my own etc. I think a lot of this is how people are raised and also just how mature they are. I have had people older then me who I work with screw around more then the younger kids. Calling in for no reason etc. Some people never learn though.

Agreed. My daughter was buying her own house at 18 yrs old. I remember buying my first home on my own in my early 20s, and encouraged her. My ex wondered why she wouldn't want to just live at home. I made lots of mistakes as a young mom, but I like to think I helped teach some of that responsibility and work ethic she has. Other than that...I just got lucky!

 

[BiscuitNaBasket]

At 24, I was working every chance I got, and trying to prove myself. It's not just "kids", there are some in their mid-30s still pulling this crap. Sometimes they have legitimate reasons, but the other 90% of their stupid absences makes it hard to be sympathetic.

Well said. This reminds me of a 40 year old guy at work who calls off at least once a week with bogus reasons. There's only one guy that can fill in for him and the company they work for will not take "no" for an answer or you'll lose your job. That guy called off on Christmas day and left the other fella to fill his spot.

It's not just the 20-somethings that do this, but a lot of them don't have the work ethic the older crowd has. (I'm 25)

Currently 24. Turned 24 in november. I've been working since 15. Live on my own etc. I think a lot of this is how people are raised and also just how mature they are. I have had people older then me who I work with screw around more then the younger kids. Calling in for no reason etc. Some people never learn though.

This. Some people just never learn, age be damned.

 

[bmbutch]

From 25 years experience working, the youth of today have more "entitled mentality", than in the past, but we have some 20/21 year old maint., Un training members that are all about learning, hard work, & getting r dun!

We we have many more new hires (Prod.,), all about "What, I actually have to work to get paid, I'm out of here"!

 

[Que]

Have a man-to-man conversation with him when he gets back and really tell him the truth concerning his behavior. Major John Chambers told me that I was "...the worst soldier he had ever met!" This happened when I was 19-years old. I was mad, upset, and embarrassed, but knew he was telling the truth and it was time for me to grow up. If it wasn't for him, I'm not sure how my life would have turned out. You may be the only one who can help him.

 

[Hkindiana]

With five working days left before Christmas, my perpetually late employee asked if he was getting a Christmas bonus. I said "sure, you will get a $100 Christmas bonus IF you come to work on time for the next five days". I figured he couldn't do it, and when the kid was late the FIRST day he had the gall to ask if he could have $80 if he made it to work on time the next four days. "NO" was my simple answer. For $100 in free and easy money, the kd couldn't be bothered to set his alarm clock a little early.

 

[BiscuitNaBasket]

With five working days left before Christmas, my perpetually late employee asked if he was getting a Christmas bonus. I said "sure, you will get a $100 Christmas bonus IF you come to work on time for the next five days". I figured he couldn't do it, and when the kid was late the FIRST day he had the gall to ask if he could have $80 if he made it to work on time the next four days. "NO" was my simple answer. For $100 in free and easy money, the kd couldn't be bothered to set his alarm clock a little early.

Wow. That is pathetic. I went through that when I first started working. I was late one day when my house had a power outage so I went out and bought a battery powered back up alarm clock.

 

[hornadylnl]

With five working days left before Christmas, my perpetually late employee asked if he was getting a Christmas bonus. I said "sure, you will get a $100 Christmas bonus IF you come to work on time for the next five days". I figured he couldn't do it, and when the kid was late the FIRST day he had the gall to ask if he could have $80 if he made it to work on time the next four days. "NO" was my simple answer. For $100 in free and easy money, the kd couldn't be bothered to set his alarm clock a little early.

Why is he still your employee?

At my old job, we got a $100 perfect attendance bonus for each quarter. It worked out to about $60-70 after taxes and everyone pissed and moaned perfect attendance wasn't worth $60-70. I still looked at it as if I was 1 minute late, I just took $60-70 out of my wallet and burned it.

 

[david890]

This would probably sound better if I wrote it when I wasn't frustrated, but the heck with it. I'm responsible for getting several projects done at IU, and those projects have to get done while the students are on break. The 24 year old guy that was assigned to help me, that's a kid to me by the way, calls me this morning and says he got fouled really hard playing basketball at the YMCA and sprained his ankle really bad. He won't be in today, which means I'm rolling solo trying to keep up today. Thank goodness he didn't crash his skateboard or wreck his BMX bike.

Just so I don't sound too bad, this kid has a history of stupid things happening to him, most his own doing. This morning's frustration is partly due to the feeling of "here we go again".

...he wrote, while wearing onions on his belt and yelling at clouds.

 

[Doug]

So he gets out of doing work, but still gets credit for the work being done?

Well, yeah. Just those "group projects" you had to do in school.
2 of the 5 people in the group did 80% of the work; 1 did the other 20%; and 2 did nothing.
Everybody got the same grade, but only 2 people really cared what that grade was.
The purpose is to prepare people for a "progressive" society where 20% do all the work and support the rest.

 

[Dr.Midnight]

The day is over with and it went pretty good. The young fellow not showing up didn't hurt me too bad at all. He's a good kid and he does a really good job when I can give him a little guidance, so if we can just get past the "young dude" issues, he'll be a pretty good guy to have on the team. As Churchmouse said earlier, I should think back to when I was that age. Upon reflection, I wasn't perfect either. . .I still may tell him he sucks though.

 

[Dr.Midnight]

With five working days left before Christmas, my perpetually late employee asked if he was getting a Christmas bonus. I said "sure, you will get a $100 Christmas bonus IF you come to work on time for the next five days". I figured he couldn't do it, and when the kid was late the FIRST day he had the gall to ask if he could have $80 if he made it to work on time the next four days. "NO" was my simple answer. For $100 in free and easy money, the kd couldn't be bothered to set his alarm clock a little early.

I never understood people that work and live like that. I'm always at least 15 minutes early for work. I'll sit back sometimes and watch some of the technicians in the company hit the door running at 7:59 a.m. in a mad dash to reach the time clock before eight. I understand things happen, but it's the same guys multiple times each week that go through this routine.

 

[Captain Bligh]

I'm a boomer who hires millennials so I can understand frustration over different values. But maybe the kid went to ER and the MD said to stay off his foot? Maybe he just wanted an extra day off before the holiday? Who knows? But either way, there seems to be two problems in this situation. If you work with kids and write a post titled "I hate working with kids" maybe you should look for a new job? Our kids deserve better mentors than people who hate them. Just sayin'.

 

[1911ly]

I have had a job of some kind since age 13. I worked 13 1/2 years, 6 days a week no vacation time without a sick day. I changed jobs and broke that stretch. I was going to take a winter off and travel. That lasted till Wednesday. I got board and got a job. I was out of work for 2 1/2 days. I was age 19 when I got my first full time job. Between Age 19 to age 42 I missed 3 days work. (hernia surgery) And took maybe a total of 1 month of vacation. At 42 I when full time with my own business that i had been running for 10 years par time. best thing I ever did.

I always gave 110% at every job. My work ethic preceded me where ever I went. I was away hired away from my previous jobs at a serious gain in pay. I was able to retire at 48 (due to health issues). I am now 52 1/2 and do a little part time work when I am board. Everything I own is paid for. I own my own house. I owe no loans paid cash for every car I own.

Hard work pays off! All I can say to the younger guys is work hard. You might like the result!

 

[churchmouse]

The day is over with and it went pretty good. The young fellow not showing up didn't hurt me too bad at all. He's a good kid and he does a really good job when I can give him a little guidance, so if we can just get past the "young dude" issues, he'll be a pretty good guy to have on the team. As Churchmouse said earlier, I should think back to when I was that age. Upon reflection, I wasn't perfect either. . .I still may tell him he sucks though.

Yes, tell him he sucks. Because he does. Put the games off till the weekend.
I worked with a young man that grew up with my son. He was an apprentice and I tried to mentor him as he was a good kid. He decided to start dirt bike racing and he was really not that good. He hurt himself every time he went out. One Thursday he came into work beat the hell up. He was out thrashing his bike with some buddy's and dumped it. He was moaning and looking for sympathy. Being a racer myself I told him that I felt no empathy as he crashed out of competition. If he was in an organized sanctioned event I may feel something for him. Just pounding his guts out with his buddy's on a Wed. night, on his own. Either go home and heal up or pick up those tools and follow me. He picked up the tools.