What's with 20-somethings?!?

[jorian]

I hired a new production manager last week. Kid (OK he's 27...) said he would "LOVE" to work in my shop, brought a strong resume and had good ideas. Friday was his first day and he called @ 9:30 (we open at 8:30) saying he had been rear-ended and would be in ASAP. No sweat, I took him at his word. He got in
at 11:00 and put in a good half day.

I like(d) this guy. Good energy, said all the right stuff and seemed to want to make a good fit.

I got in early today to make sure we were ready for him. I called the other candidate on my short list to give him my thanks for applying and then got to work. Well Mr Keener didn't show....or call....all day! Called his cell - no answer - and left a message to please call. Called his home and spoke to his wife. "Don't know where he is." Thanks you've been very helpful.

I wouldn't normally rant but this is the second time! You'd be hard pressed to find a nicer shop and the last P/Manager stayed 10 years. I don't think it's me or my business. It seems like kids under 30 these days just don't give *****. So many just seem, disenfranchised, apathetic, vacant - insert your own adjective.

Boy do I ever sound like my Dad!

[stevepaa]

I bet he thought he could telecommute and have flex hours.

[rbarton]

Dude, maybe he spaced. Cut him some slack.

[BGCarrera32]

Unless he can prove he was lying in a hospital bed, can em'. Hire #2. No reason for him not to call.

"Excuses are words coming from the loser in you."

[bigrubberjeep]

Sounds like he had a job#2 lined up and got hired there too, probably with more pay (no offense intended), it's just a sign of how shallow some of us can be when looking for employment based on financial goals only.

[Ronbo]

Originally posted by rbarton
Dude, maybe he spaced. Cut him some slack.

I've been employed full time since graduating college, which is about 25 years. I have never "spaced". I wouldn't tolerate it either.

[yellowline]

Neither would I. Cut him.

Believe it or not, there are Gen Y workers who do work.

[RANDY P]

Dopehead or constant toxic partyer. Knows exactly what to say but gets screwed over by his vices. Guys like that ALWAYS are victims or their circumstance = there's always excuse for missing work, late shows, etc. etc.

Crackheads for instance spin and disappear for up to a week at a time, too ashamed of their addiction and paranoid to come out and deal with it. You simply won't find 'em...

I have worked with / managed those types - it sucks.

You've been warned.

rjp

[dtw]

You need to make sure your shop has snackies. Are there snackies? You'll also need to provide snackies and drinks, and a rumpus room with video games and scooters. You'll also need to provide a quiet, reflective area where one may ponder on their daily challenges. A nice soft mat is a perfect addition to such an area. Make the workday palatable - allow flextime and a 6 or 7 hour workday. Be sure there's plenty of time off...all holidays and plenty of vacation. Maybe consider an extended summer vacation.

In my experience, these are the ingredients for an attractive workplace. Sound familiar? Resemble a place you may have seen before? Coincidence...? Nah...

[rbarton]

I've been employed full time since graduating college, which is about 25 years. I have never "spaced". I wouldn't tolerate it either.

Uhhhh, I was joking. Trying to adopt that '20 something attitude', don't you know.

[masraum]

Can his ass (if he bothers to come back) and hire someone else.

[nostatic]

blame the parents (ie boomers)

oh wait...wrong thread

[Shuie]

Boot to the head. I wont be 30 for a couple of years and I hope that anyone I work before then will fire me if I ever do something like that.

[einreb]

I'm visiting from the Boomer thread. I hear ya about the X'ers. I've fired 2 in the past year for odd stuff. If you're gonna 'frost' your hair and surf the net on my dollar you better be closing some deals. you think we're bad? just wait till you hire a gen Y.

Why dont you hire a boomer?

[HardDrive]

DUDE! Yer totally freaking. Get a grip. He was hangin wit his peeps last night, and got heavy on the red bull and vodka. Plus there was this chica check his style. But no worries bro! 24 hours of shut eye and every thing will be righteous.

[930addict]

Get rid of him. He didn't give you the courtesy of a phone call so don't give him the courtesy of a second chance.

[red-beard]

Originally posted by dtw
You need to make sure your shop has snackies. Are there snackies? You'll also need to provide snackies and drinks, and a rumpus room with video games and scooters. You'll also need to provide a quiet, reflective area where one may ponder on their daily challenges. A nice soft mat is a perfect addition to such an area. Make the workday palatable - allow flextime and a 6 or 7 hour workday. Be sure there's plenty of time off...all holidays and plenty of vacation. Maybe consider an extended summer vacation.

In my experience, these are the ingredients for an attractive workplace. Sound familiar? Resemble a place you may have seen before? Coincidence...? Nah...

WOW! That sounds exactly like kindergarten...

[RickM]

I experienced the same when hiring young developers during the Dot Com boom. Good developers were hard to find and commanded very good salaries. Problem was they expected to be spoon fed by employers like they were by mommy and daddy. I had more problems with playing daycare with them tehan it ws worth. I must say I learned quickly and found that screening for good work ethic and probationary initial employment solved the problem.

[84porsche]

As a certified 20 something (actually 25), its not all of us but speaking as a 20-something, we have to take the best offer. I was raised differently then many of my friends and believe in common courtesy when it comes to work, I treat my employment as I would want to be treated. But my situation is different, I was raised by a teacher and a minister (my parents).

I do arrive late in the mornings but I cut my lunch short or work overtime to make up for my tardiness but my generation was not raised with this mentality about respect. We were taught to take care of ourselves and when it comes to work, don't hesitate to take a better opportunity because employers won't hesitate to let you go in the same instant. Today's generation isn't in for long term employment, we want quick answers and results with almost everything. For example, look at the evolution of email and memos, the shorter the better and please get straight to the point (no bs).

I have had issues with my work but when I leave, I tell someone, if I am going to be late, more than 10 minutes, I call in. Common courtesy and respect just isn't taught by many parents in my opinion.

[cantdrv55]

Originally posted by rbarton
Dude, maybe he spaced. Cut him some slack.

Please say you're joking.