The younger workforce.

[Eric6714]

If Social Security even makes it that far lol.

 

[TomSeller]

If Social Security even makes it that far lol.

With the younger generation what they are and current world politics is there a reason to worry?

 

[Shutesbury]

I think the reason is there's just no reason to work hard. If mommy and daddy won't pay their way, the gov't will. It is the same around here with drugs (and most places don't have testing around here).

So where is Sapphire?

 

[ultrarunner]

A couple of comments...

We hire nurses that are often new grad RNs... ages vary from 23 to 27 typically.

It is not that easy to get your first nursing job... especially if you want to work in the operating room.

I honestly have to say we have not had a bad one yet... the last 20+ years since I have been involved with that side of things... the young nurses have really been top notch and appreciate the opportunity to work in their chosen field.

Drug testing and similar have not been a problem... the local University does a good job screening and preparing... most are female and most are the first in their family with a University Education and all have very proud parents... a few are caucasian or african american with most having asian background.

On the other hand... my contractor friends have real problems... most that apply can't be hired because they don't have clean driving record or can't pass a drug test... one that has a thriving floor covering business says more than 80% fail on one or both... really sad.

I've also learned that people can have a family, a roof over their head, food, medical plus discounts on utilities, free cell phone, etc without ever having worked... learned this when I was managing Section 8 rentals... actually had people in their 30's with kids who had never worked or filled out a tax return...

 

[MossRoad]

A couple of comments...

We hire nurses that are often new grad RNs... ages vary from 23 to 27 typically.

It is not that easy to get your first nursing job... especially if you want to work in the operating room.

I honestly have to say we have not had a bad one yet... the last 20+ years since I have been involved with that side of things... the young nurses have really been top notch and appreciate the opportunity to work in their chosen field.

Drug testing and similar have not been a problem... the local University does a good job screening and preparing... most are female and most are the first in their family with a University Education and all have very proud parents... a few are caucasian or african american with most having asian background.

On the other hand... my contractor friends have real problems... most that apply can't be hired because they don't have clean driving record or can't pass a drug test... one that has a thriving floor covering business says more than 80% fail on one or both... really sad.

I've also learned that people can have a family, a roof over their head, food, medical plus discounts on utilities, free cell phone, etc without ever having worked... learned this when I was managing Section 8 rentals... actually had people in their 30's with kids who had never worked or filled out a tax return...

I read a study (wish I could find it) that was done several years ago here in Indiana that said something like a single head of household (male or female, didn't matter), with three children, could get about $34,000 per year in government assistance. So, that person would have to get a full-time job making about $17.00 per hour just to break even VS not working. And that was right before our state started the school voucher program, so you can get $4800 per child (that's an additional $14,400 in assistance) to send them to the school of your choice VS public school. There's no incentive to get off of government assistance. You'd almost be a sucker to get off of it. $48,400 in assistance for 0 hours of work VS getting a job making about $24 per hour and having to spend 40 hours at work, commuting, transportation costs, etc.... it just ain't worth working.

 

[ultrarunner]

In the SF Bay Area it is about 65k...

The reason being is Fair Market Rent allowance through HUD is very high here...

A family "Could" be getting almost 30k for housing.

Guess I've always been an outlier... started paying into Social Security at age 12 making $50 a week... at $1.65 and hour... of that the folks got $20 for room and board...

Didn't work that way for my youngest brother... he told Mom and Dad they had to support him because it was the law... now he makes the most from all of us... just goes to show that hard work doesn't always pay the greatest dividends...

Still remember when he was in High School and on the Football team... no chores for him because he was resting for the game...

Only 5 years difference from oldest to youngest... go figure

 

[ultrarunner]

One of the tenants lost his job during the crash... he was one of the last laid off from the graphic design company... for more than 2 years he got the max unemployement... each time it was about to end it would get extended.

He did get married and they had a child and for the first year of his daughter's life he was mister mom pulling in $1800 a month unemployment.

Just when unemployment ended his old boss called him up and asked him to come back... he was one of two from 14 that originally worked there to get asked back...

My 14 year old niece was always asking if I had any jobs... and she was a good worker... her dad didn't really want her working... told her to concentrate on school and sports...

So about the only job he is fine with is babysitting not on a school night... she makes in 4 hours what it took me 40 hours to make at her age.

 

[tbrooks26]

So where is Sapphire?

Southern NC mtns, almost directly above the GA, SC, NC meeting point. It sad here, its such a rural area here, you wouldn't think drugs would be such an issue. Pills and meth are rampant among the younger people though. Kids and their parents always say 'there's nothing to do' for a reason why the drugs are bad. But I know city folk probably say 'I want to move to the mountains to get away from crime and drugs'. I think its funny, when I was a kid we ran the woods, hiked trails, hung out with friends, went fishing, went to the lake, etc., and never got bored. Of course I got caught in the partying loop for a bit too, but my first daughter came along when I was 18, and I changed my life for her. People have options, but they have lots more excuses, and as said the world makes it easy to do nothing. At the rate of moral decline, our society can't last more than a few more generations.

I make all my kids do for themselves. If its something I think they can handle then its their problem, even the 2 yr old, I treat her like she's 10 lol. My oldest daughter is 14, she helps with everything around the house. She is somewhat spoiled, part of that is having split parents. Does school sports, usually straight A student, works with her mom some weekends, and has been helping at the new property we got. I traded in my car and bought a 2015 Honda a few months back. I told her it may be hers when she turns 16, but she has to put in at least 4 hours a week from now until then for me. After HS if she goes to college, its hers, and she won't have to pay a dime for it. If she doesn't then she'll have to buy it from me.

My kids didn't get a tv in their room or cell phone until 12. And as to the phone, its just a flip phone for safety for when they babysit the youngest or are home alone. My oldest saved up and bought her own Iphone, and she normally pays about half her bill, sometimes more. I've always been strict with them and given them responsibilities, and tried to treat them as adults, even when they were little. Most people who know us will tell you I have some of the best kids around

 

[mark02tj]

/pine mentioned the lack of respect for teachers, and others in general. My own kids are 23 and 25 and I was shocked when they were in high school and addressed their teachers as "Jones" and "Smith" instead of Mr. Jones and Ms. Smith. That would have meant detention when I was in school. I admonished them that it was disrespectful, but found out that's the way the kids do it now. I now live in a rural district and was at a community event back in December and noticed that even the middle-schoolers were addressing one of the teachers that was at the event in that manner. I said something to him (he's just 27) and he just shrugged and said "that's the way it is now".

My other half works in the senior living industry and they hire cooks, servers, aides, nurses, etc. Many of the people applying for the lower positions have a friend come in with them to help them fill out the application since a lot of them can't read very well. I'll see them in the lobby sometime filling out the apps and just shake my head at the holey jeans, etc. that they show up in. Of those that get called in for an interview, only about half show up. And then half of those can't pass the drug or background checks.

I had a paper route at age 11 and kept it for 4 years. It was the hardest job I ever had. People had to get their papers, regardless of the weather. And you had to keep them dry even in monsoon rains! (The first day of my route was April 3, 1974 - you old timers might remember a ton of tornadoes that day in the midwest) It was a 7 day a week job, you had to learn bookkeeping and money management. If you wanted a vacation, you had to hire (and pay out of your pocket) a sub and hope like heck that he/she actually delivered the papers like they were supposed to. Taught me a LOT!! I also mowed a few lawns for people that were on my route. Kids today don't have that "opportunity". Paper routes are either serviced by someone in a car or our local, weekly paper is mailed. Lawn services are doing the cutting today.

 

[DFB]

It sad here, its such a rural area here, you wouldn't think drugs would be such an issue. Pills and meth are rampant among the younger people though. Kids and their parents always say 'there's nothing to do' for a reason why the drugs are bad. But I know city folk probably say 'I want to move to the mountains to get away from crime and drugs'. I think its funny, when I was a kid we ran the woods, hiked trails, hung out with friends, went fishing, went to the lake, etc., and never got bored. Of course I got caught in the partying loop for a bit too, but my first daughter came along when I was 18, and I changed my life for her. People have options, but they have lots more excuses, and as said the world makes it easy to do nothing. At the rate of moral decline, our society can't last more than a few more generations.

From what I constantly read, see and hear also around here heroin drug use is rampant and supposedly is thruout the general area and several others now. Towns big and small are constantly making arrests and drug busts and claiming its gang related activity from out of state. Incidences of breakins and store robberies have increased. Years ago reading about a holdup was a really big deal now it almost seems almost commonplace. Rural destitution is one excuse for drug use along with lack of any serious job opportunities in declining old mill towns where local manufacturing once ruled.

The governer of Maine recently got himself in some heat for ranting about the local problem there after a recent double homicide on Christmas over drugs. Did anybody catch all that news

My nurse friend does home health care for a rural population and has plenty of first hand experience of illegal drug use with her client base. Many affected babies too. Really sad stuff.

Lately it seems there is more illegal ways than honest ways to make a buck.

Maybe some others don't see it on the job but I do...along with many of the youth, even others ( my age group and older ) are also constantly imbibing in substance abuse.

Maybe the wrong spot for this rant but I think its a major part of the employment problem.