Why is this so?

[Pony]

Why is someone so surprised when they get fired after being late twice and not showing up twice for work in a 2 week period??

I actually had to fire someone today, for the first time, and I still can't figure out the above question. Now granted it was a 17 yr old kid, but still is your job not important enough that you feel its ok to not show up? We arent talking legit excuses either.......stuff like some family dinner event came up so I couldnt go to work. Stuff that no doubt we all want to do, but have to priorities in order.

Am I wrong to feel this way? Is it wrong for me to expect from others what I put into the job??

 

[crunch]

Re: Why is this so?

Pony, I once worked in a Plywood mill.... after 2 years of showing up everyday, on time, ready to work, no off days... I was 3 minutes late, and got a warning... no strike 3 and we'll talk about it.

Management is a birch, you really can't be friends with those you manage as you represent the interest of the owners.... you did the right thing, just a little late 8)

 

[Pony]

Re: Why is this so?

Believe me this descison was in the making a week ago.........just gotta have that paperwork so ya don't get sued up the you know what........:%

 

[puddle jumper]

Re: Why is this so?

I know how you feel.Im looking at droping my apprentice
hes just not doing his job.I think its an important part of the learning process.All you can hope for is that thay take there next job more serious.
pj

 

[roscoe]

Re: Why is this so?

You are spot on Pony.

Are you wrong to feel this way? No.
Is it wrong to expect.... No.
But realize that not all people are able to perform at the highest level.

It may not always be prudent in these days, in certain job markets.

I would have liked to fire a guy tonight also, if I had the authority.
Actually would have fired him weeks ago.
Tonight I got to train this kid for 4 hours.
You should have seen his daily review sheet when I was done.

At the end of the shift, I walked up with 2 brooms, handing one to him and saying "we've got 7 minutes till we go home."

He took the broom and immediately looked for somewhere to set it down.
Would have smacked him right there if I could.

 

[Pony]

Re: Why is this so?

At the end of the shift, I walked up with 2 brooms, handing one to him and saying "we've got 7 minutes till we go home."

He took the broom and immediately looked for somewhere to set it down.
Would have smacked him right there if I could.

Oh gosh, that gets me riled up more than anything else. There is always something that can be done, yet people would rather stand around and talk. Then they are the first ones who want to go home early when there is still a lot to get done.

 

[crunch]

Re: Why is this so?

Believe me this descison was in the making a week ago.........just gotta have that paperwork so ya don't get sued up the you know what........:%

Yea, that s*cks... my wife is in the same boat, she just started a new job as "staff development coordinator" for a 150 bed nursing home that has had problems hiring staff... all of the staff think they are indispensable, so they miss shifts, come and go as they please, and have attitudes.

She, at my suggestion placed adds in small town newspapers all over the region... did the paperwork on the "slackers" last week. Fired 2 and hired 3 this week... about 10 to go... or the rest of the staff might get the idea.... she's not the "hard ass" I am as I ran construction crews for years....... slap them down, let them know who is boss........ then reward for service

 

[Plainsman]

Re: Why is this so?

I work with a guy that is constantly late, takes long lunches and gets away with it. I have brought it up with my boss, and he "talks" to him and it's good for a week or so, then the same old sh##.
I have been late once in 4 years, power went out, bought a battery backup alarm.
It really pisses me off.

Pony are absoulty in thre right on this.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Why is this so?

"It's a dirty job but no one wants to do it".....
Used to be a joke.....
Crunch, from the sound of it, we are both GC's...
I admit I pick & choose...
"Cherry Pick", if you will....
I can't say anything about the available "Workpool"
Other than it stinks....
What ever happened to a young, white, male getting his hands soiled?
THE HORROR!
Technology is great, but you also need to know how to torque a bolt......
DAMMIT! There I go exposing my soft, white, conservative , underbelly.....
***** slap to QC...d....JK

 

[Pony]

Re: Why is this so?

The power outage has gotten me before too. I now use my cell phone as a second alarm. I set it 5 minutes after my alarm clock so that I can disarm it right away.

Its amazing how your heart jumps when you look at the clock and realize you are late. I had that happen when I worked 3rd shift, only I wasnt actually late. I had gotten home at 8am and cut the grass etc.....sat down and started to watch a movie and fell asleep. My phone rang at about 2 in the afternoon, it was a girlfriend asiking if I wanted to go to a movie. I looked at the clock and said " No I can't I'm 4 hrs late for work. (thinking it was 2am at the time) I ran downstairs, changed clothes, and ran out to the car. It was then I realized it was too light out and that it wasnt 2 am after all. I really felt like an idiot when I called her back.........

 

[rogerwa]

Re: Why is this so?

Some people feel they have the right to a job. I've worked with people who think they ought to be paid just because they show up.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Why is this so?

After getting up early every morning year after year,,,,who needs an alarm clock? No matter when or where, I get up at the same time every day. On weekends, I awake but maybe sleep for another hour. Sleeping in is a waste of precious time for me.

If your the boss and your employee screws up, your job is on the line as much as it is his. You gotta do what you gotta do to protect your job. Fire him and find someone who wants to work for the company and not the check.

Asking employees to perform tasks works better and gains you respect vs barking orders at them. I know if asked, I'm more likely to jump in and help. Bark an order at me and demand stuff is a sure fire way to raise the hair on my back. When that happens, yep,,,,,,I'll be watching the clock instead of finding something to do until the quitting time has arrived.

Working for a resturant chain dealing with young teens, it is easy to tell the ones who did well in school, ones who respect others, and ones who was taught morals. It seems the ones that have their hickies, suckerbites, piercing's and tatoo's covered with a band-aid not only look silly, they are the ones who don't last long.

 

[crunch]

Re: Why is this so?

I guess I grew up in a different world.

As the boss, I don't want to hear:

I have a cold.

My babysitter can't come in.

My brother is in (name the place) and I have to go get him.

My dog died.

My cat died.

Etc.

Unless I was running a temp of 102 F+, or had a broken appendage, I was on the job... I might be coughing, sneezing, and blowing snot all over, but I was there and at least taking up space.

The idea of "my biz is more important than the people I work for" is crap, and should be flushed.

If you have kids, best have backup... 3 deep, or you and I will clash.

If you are pron to migraines, you aren't suited to the job... try disability.

If you have "sick days" best not have more than 2 a year... or you are not suited to the job.

People that you work with depend on you being there... it's part of the unspoken job description.

 

[crunch]

Re: Why is this so?

And I can assure you, your fellow co-workers won't want to give up their days off to cover your whims.... or is that their... whatever 8)

 

[solidwaste]

Re: Why is this so?

Good job Pony someone at some time has to teach people like that respocibility. Maybe this lesson will teach him something that will save his job when he has a wife a kid to support.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Why is this so?

Best that young person learns now.

Not a good way to establish a work record, you did the right thing.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Why is this so?

People don't like working for me because:

1. They are expected to perform at the level of their title.
2. They are expected to use the tools available.
3. Their work is reviewed and they must re-do it unil it meets standards/requirements.
4. They are held accountable for their work and actions or lack of.

Today I find a lot of the work force are "Minimalists". Those are people who do the bare minimum to get a job done.

Then they wonder why they get the miminum raise, why they don't get the "good" projects, why they are last on the list to get the work "toys" that make the job fun and easier (ie laptops, wireless stuff, etc), why they don't get to go to off-site training, etc.

Go figure.

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: Why is this so?

Agree with all stated..................but a 17 year old kid, expected to have the work ethic of a person who needs a job? Granted some people never develop a proper work ethic, but a 17 year old acting in a un-responsible manor is hardily unexpected.

 

[Pony]

Re: Why is this so?

Good job Pony someone at some time has to teach people like that respocibility. Maybe this lesson will teach him something that will save his job when he has a wife a kid to support.

Thats what I hope.......called him into the office to talk to him to accomplish just that. I wanted him to understand exactly why he wouldnt be working here anymore, and that it was a lesson he was gonna have to bring to his next job.

 

[Pony]

Re: Why is this so?

I guess I grew up in a different world.

As the boss, I don't want to hear:

I have a cold.

My babysitter can't come in.

My brother is in (name the place) and I have to go get him.

My dog died.

My cat died.

Etc.

Unless I was running a temp of 102 F+, or had a broken appendage, I was on the job... I might be coughing, sneezing, and blowing snot all over, but I was there and at least taking up space.

The idea of "my biz is more important than the people I work for" is crap, and should be flushed.

If you have kids, best have backup... 3 deep, or you and I will clash.

If you are pron to migraines, you aren't suited to the job... try disability.

If you have "sick days" best not have more than 2 a year... or you are not suited to the job.

People that you work with depend on you being there... it's part of the unspoken job description.

I agree 100%.

I had a worker apologize for being a few hours late on a night when we were unloading a truck of freight. I told him "Hey don't apologize to me, apologize to the rest of the team. They are the ones trying to make up the slack."