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Patrick
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On the Decline of Work Ethic
| Published 10/03/03

Graphic By: Baudi Ratcliffe-Hollins

As I waited last night for someone to relieve me from my work-study position, I pondered all the things I was going to say to the student who was already twenty minutes late. I knew that I would have to say what needed to be said, because no one else would. First I wanted ask the student if he planned on having a job after school, because the corporate world won't stand for tardiness on any level. I also knew that this employee had been a "no show" before. Being a business management major wishing to manage employees of my very own, I would have solved the problem quickly and efficiently. I would make it known to the employee that there is a waiting list for people wanting his position, and I would also let him know that he isn't fulfilling his job duties. That would be my warning; the next time around, he would be gone. Why would you keep paying for no-shows?

That is another problem I've noticed with management at the many places I've worked. Just because a manager lays down the law doesn't mean they are a bad manager; in fact, it could help them to be a successful one. Too many managers let their employees walk all over them by never saying anything, because they are afraid. This is a huge problem, because the moment a manager fears his employees, he becomes ineffective. This is partly responsible for the decline of work ethic. Employees feel like they can get away with whatever they want. This is what they believe the definition of "fair" is.

I blame poor management for the majority of low work ethic within their staff. However it's not only because they fear their employees, it's also because they are not motivating their employees correctly. I worked with a manager this summer that I saw once a week - if I was lucky. The manager was perfectly capable of supervising all of the employees everyday, but instead that manager sat in the break area all day. How can managers expect for a minute to motivate people when they are not motivated themselves? How do you expect to find motivated employees when they have managers rarely seen? The answer is it simply can't be!



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Name: Spoldy
Year: Of the Horse
Major: Infarction
Comments:
As a MAnager, I would like to state: 1. I am looking for performers. I want someone who gets their shit done. 2. I don't care how they go about it. 3. If they can't get it done, I have no problem runnning their ass off. 4. They know this fact. 5. I've been in trouble with HR for ass chewings until I got to expalin my side of the story. 6. Once employees know what is expected of them, they are usually quite happy. 7. I assume there is a life outside of work, therefore I frown on long hours when it's not nessassary. 8. I'm not their best friend, I'm their boss. Respect that relationship and we're money 9. Lie to me and you're out the door. 10. Midgets scare me. Small hands...Smell like cabbage.

 

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