cnp55

I have just terminated a 'summer intern' for repeated violations of work rules. When he was hired, I thought we were doing Business Management 287 -- Management Trainee Internship. It turned out what we were actually doing was Remedial Working Skills. And he was failing the course.

It occurs to me that many teens don't understand 'how to work' and even though I am quite explicit with the kids about what I expect, a lot of them just don't get it. This kid apparently spent most of his internship grousing behind my back about how I was always on his case for excessive breaks, cell phones, dress codes, and goofing off. He was also complaining about his supervising professor always being on his case, because I was reporting to the college that this kid was just not working out and both of us were trying to get this young man on track.

I think some parental guidance could help a lot. Even if all you say to your teen is "When your boss tells you to do something, or not to do something, it carries a lot of weight. And you should listen and conform if you want to keep your job."

Another parental tidbit to pass along -- "Work is doing things for pay that you might not otherwise want to do." For example, working in the pet shop is not all holding the bunnies. A lot of it is cleaning the cages and putting stuff on the shelves. You *want* to hold the bunnies. I don't need to *pay* people to hold the bunnies. I do need to pay them to scrub the cages and stock the shelves. Guess which is a job assignment and what's not!

The biggest issues are things like cell phone use while working. I don't allow it at all. The kids don't get it. And they don't understand that it's a big deal. So, then they just think if they don't get caught it's OK. And don't get caught by the big boss.

Our schools are doing the kids a dis-service by looking the other way on things like dress code violations, tardiness, excuses, forged notes, and ... cell phone use in class. They might get told to stop it, but there's no consequence, no teeth, and no big deal. Then they get their first job, and they treat the boss like the teacher or the parent and just tune it out and keep on doing whatever they please. And then, they are totally shocked when they get fired for 'repeated violations of work rules.'

I will say this is not every teenager. I have some absolutely wonderful young people working for me for over a year. But for every good one, there's been three or four that get fired for goofing off in one way or another.

End of vent. I feel better. I just hired a new one this morning. Hope she'll work out!

tom1944

I was hoping my D's first job would provide the training needed to learn the importance of having excellent work habits/skills. Sadly, poor management at the retail store where she is employed lets employees develop bad habits. We have been having an ongoing "discussion" this summer about how being a good employee out weighs almost all other skills. I have told her I do not care how smart you are- poor work habits will hinder you in the workplace.

ChiSquare

My D has been working as a cashier for about a year. Although she's taking a very challenging school schedule, doing well on exams, etc, what I am *really* proud of her for is her work ethic. Has never been late to work, has only missed 2 days of work when she was truly sick, etc. She even offered to cover, out of her pay, the bad check that a customer passed while she was cashiering.

If only I could get her to save some of the money she earns!

paying3tuitions

Unfortunately, some kids might believe that an unpaid internship is a veiled day-volunteer position, which it is not. Some adults who volunteer show up late, cancel on a whim and so forth. It shouldn't be that way, I agree.

LOL, at home, I agree parents can help redirect and instill work ethic. I listen to all complaints but soon end it with, "Well, that's why they pay you the big bucks!" even if the bucks aren't so big.

I hope the next intern sees your company's position as an opportunity. Have you tried writing down the expectations, and co-sign the list? Some kids don't listen but many can read.

Venting works, too.

I'm finding that my kids are solid workers on salary, but the youngest who just started working on commission is tearing the place up. He measures his time against money in a new way. I'm buying him a new set of bootstraps.

Most schools now ban cellphones during class but some allow them during class changes. Many have experienced their cellphones confiscated for the day if seen in use at the wrong moment. That's the only way some kids will take the rule seriously. I never see kids working in grocery stores using them, and assume the penalty is very severe.

northeastmom

My son has had 4 different summer jobs. His first job was well managed, he was treated properly, and the business was well run. I thought it was a great first job experience. The next 2 jobs were at large retail chains with very poor management. I agree with Tom1944, that bad habits were witnessed and learned. My son was also not a satisfied employee at either job. My son saw managers really needlessly harrassing employees, and managers (some of them were prior employees who put in time to move up the ranks to become floor managers) goofing off. My son said that many of them did little more than "hold up the wall" (meaning that they leaned against the wall with a clip board in hand for hours). His 4th job is smaller, is managed a bit better than 2 of his 3 prior jobs, and the manager works every bit as hard as the employees, if not harder.

TheAnalyst

"...they treat the boss like the teacher"

This was a problem I had with some interns as well. They thought it was OK to get the equivalent of a B on the job, doing sloppy work if it was tedious. In finance, 100% accuracy is a requirement, so an A- is failing in my book.
I could care less if they find the work boring. I'm not paying them to train them or to entertain them for the summer. I'm paying them to do work I don't want somebody who bills out at the equivalent of $500 an hour to have to do. In return for this dull work, they get to observe people around them and get a sexy looking internship to put on their resume. Period. (and they get paid)

I told everybody I interviewed that when you take a class, you pay me. If I'm paying you, I'm not here to teach you; I'm here to use you. Don't like that, don't work here. Some didn't seem to take this to heart, but I got pretty good over the years at judging personalities during the interview. I had the best luck with the work ethic of athletes. They seemed to understand how to follow direct orders, didn't resent a tough boss, didn't take things personally, knew life wasn't fair, understood that an internship is part of the process of paying your dues, etc.

Youdon'tsay

My 16yo started his first real job today -- one where he had to interview, go down to HR to fill out paper work, etc. Now, I'm kind of nervous!

p3t, I once had a cashier who was texting WHILE she was ringing me up. It took me awhile to figure out why she wasn't making eye contact with me. I was so furious, but I didn't report her. Don't know why.

Bay

OP,

Was this a paid position or an unpaid summer internship? While I would expect my offspring to perform appropriately for every job they accept whether paid or unpaid, it is possible that I may have inadvertently communicated to my kids my general feelings about the unpaid internships. Which is, that I think some employers take advantage of unpaid interns, who should probably be paid for some of the work they do.

cnp55

PAID!!!!

I do not use volunteers in the store under any circumstances. If they are working, they are being paid. I think unpaid internships in a for-profit organization are unethical.

The plan for this kid was actually to continue as a part timer, and move up to assistant manager as quickly as possible. He knew this, which is why he accepted the position. I had (still have) a serious need for an assistant manager on August 1 or I lose my day off. Which makes me very cranky!

cnp55

I do want to mention that I have a 'welcome letter' that details all the work rules, the dress code, and our expectations. I have a separate sheet that explicitly details "what not to do if you want to keep your job."

This includes such gems as: Do not lie down and take a nap in the dog food. And when you get caught with your face pressed up against the dog food do not lie and tell me you were just reading the labels. It makes you look stupid.
(True example.)

alwaysamom

cnp, I can sympathize with you. I have a friend who owns a small business which sells beautiful stationery, cards, journals, etc. She said that for every one competent and reliable teenaged employee she has had, there are probably five or six who have been awful. I was taught by my father how to be a reliable, hard-working employee, paid or unpaid, and I've done the same with my kids. I hope you find someone else so you can get your day off!

Lafalum84

cnp55 where are you located? My S had an awful time finding a summer job, he now has one that will only require him to work 10 - 12 days all summer. He worked retail last summer and I believe was well-liked by his managers; unfortunately that store closed when the mall went "upscale" and tripled the rent last winter. I'll promise you a good work ethic if you hire him!

tango14

I have hired 5 different graduate students as paid workers in the past several years. The first one was very good and they all went down hill from there. (Of course, I have to add that the two previous paid employees in that position were disasters as well) We were very explicit in our expectations and clear up front that some of the work was boring (alphabetizing, filing, stamping, putting together mailings). However, they were paid very well for the time they spent and the difficulty of the work. We eventually removed the desk phone from the office, and at one point unplugged the internet cable because one employee was spending all her time e-mailing. But some of the work required the internet, so it was always a toss up.

We finally decided that it was easier to do the work ourselves.

I think one reason you don't see grocery store workers using cell phones is that they're usually up and around (stocking, cashiering, putting things back on the shelves, doing a price check). It's much easier to use the cell phone/text/internet when sitting at a desk.

etselec

Ohh, so THIS is why my employer was so impressed that I actually showed up to work, called out when I couldn't, and made a reasonable effort at doing my job...

NewHope33

Posters, thank you for all the smiles I got reading your posts! I know, I know -- it's not funny when you're going through it. DW hires Grad Students for labwork over the summer. The most recent skipped the first couple of days, and when showed greeted DW with "Here's my availability this summer."