The younger workforce.

[TomSeller]

I just hired a "kid" on my day job on Tuesday and already by Friday I am blown away by his focus and effort. When doing is I9 I realized he is 41. I thought his grey hair was premature . He looks young and we are not allowed to ask age.

A couple of months ago I hired a 28 year old that is fantastic. So if you take the time the good ones are out there.

But the bad ones may be at the front of the line. So filter through them and look for loyalty, family and work ethic traits. I have not had good luck with references.

 

[STx]

This thread covers most of the reasons we got rid of all our employees and subbed all our work out. With subs, I can afford to keep 3x the labor force I need to have so that when they flake out, and they always do eventually, I can just spread that work onto those that are still working until we can replace the flake and not overload anyone. With employees, I need to get a full 8 hour day out of everyone to be profitable. With subs, it doesn't matter if they only want to work 4 hours or only 3 days a week, they're paid a fixed rate per job and I'm guaranteed a profit on every one of them since my costs are fixed. The subs have mostly been more reliable and quality focused than our employees were because they have skin in the game and returns cost them money.

What I learned over 11 years of having employees was that everyone wanted to get paid but, nobody wanted a job.

My field is all outdoor manual labor and really too hard on the body for 90% of people once they hit about 30 so we were always dealing with the early 20's crowd. Even amongst the Hispanics, the work ethic in this group leaves a lot to be desired.

One season, we went through 44 employees to keep 4 positions filled and at the end of the season, I still didn't have anyone I wanted back the next season.

 

[ultrarunner]

What kind of work has such a high burn out rate?

 

[om21braz]

What kind of work has such a high burn out rate?

Possibly landscaping as a good friend of mine has the same problem.

 

[stan33]

If the slackers don't have the work ethic you just can't make a profit out of them. It's such a shame you can't use the whip any more, to really make 'em learn the meaning of who's boss and what real work means. Boss man sure needs to keep up his living standards up at the big house, yes siree.

 

[MossRoad]

This thread covers most of the reasons we got rid of all our employees and subbed all our work out. With subs, I can afford to keep 3x the labor force I need to have so that when they flake out, and they always do eventually, I can just spread that work onto those that are still working until we can replace the flake and not overload anyone. With employees, I need to get a full 8 hour day out of everyone to be profitable. With subs, it doesn't matter if they only want to work 4 hours or only 3 days a week, they're paid a fixed rate per job and I'm guaranteed a profit on every one of them since my costs are fixed. The subs have mostly been more reliable and quality focused than our employees were because they have skin in the game and returns cost them money.

What I learned over 11 years of having employees was that everyone wanted to get paid but, nobody wanted a job.

My field is all outdoor manual labor and really too hard on the body for 90% of people once they hit about 30 so we were always dealing with the early 20's crowd. Even amongst the Hispanics, the work ethic in this group leaves a lot to be desired.

One season, we went through 44 employees to keep 4 positions filled and at the end of the season, I still didn't have anyone I wanted back the next season.

If you yourself admit the job it too hard for 90% of the people over 30, then you can't complain when 90% quit. For example.... your wash out rate is similar to the Delta Force and Navy Seals. Good grief.

 

[Cat_Driver]

BEST LINE EVER....."What I learned over 11 years of having employees was that everyone wanted to get paid but, nobody wanted a job. " This fits this generation. Realy this has been happening since the 80's 90's. "kids today" don't want to work, they want everything handed to them, and they want to be the boss two weeks on the job - OR they want to tell the boss how to run his business. I has a woman wok for me and she constantly gave me advice on how to run mys business. This coming from a person that has had dozens of jobs because people can't stand her telling ME who has been running the same business for 30 plus years.

I remember years and years ago I was paying people $12.00 an hour when the Min wage was $5.00. I had an employee DEMAND that I pay him $25.00 an hour. I said - follow me. I walked over to a 100 pound large crate and I said , go ahead pick that up - he said I can't. I called over two other workers and asked them to pick it up and they did it with no problem. I showed him I can buy TWO people for $25.00 an hour who can do twice the work of just one individual for $25.00 an hr. We parted company shortly after that.

I truly believe the government is the biggest problem to business owners. WHY would anyone want to work when they can get so much handed to them for doing NOTHING. These kids can stay home, play video hames, or do drugs and get by with all the freebies.
One guy on LA TV bragged about surfing all day, buying lobster all while being unemployed collecting benefits.
Going through the grocery line lately almost everyone is paying with the food stamp card, eating much better than me. I look at their cart and it's loaded with steaks, chips, snacks, all paid for by you and me.

 

[stan33]

I can buy TWO people

Says it all.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Says it all.

X2
...

 

[ultrarunner]

Expectations are higher.

Guess it also depends on the industry...

As mentioned... the new hire fresh Nurses I hire have all been good over the last 15 years... they want the job and appreciate the opportunity.

That said, I tell them to use their time wisely, embrace learning and be flexible... sometimes cases run late and sometimes they are cancelled.

Most will eventually take their knowledge and go to work for Kaiser which offers better pay and benefits... for those with the right experience and this is what I can offer...

We have a few come back after their kids were born... working in the big city Hospital comes with more stress... just getting there and home each day.