Natural Selection in the workplace question

Quick question: In the work place ( some where non life threatening) how many chances should you give someone before you just let natural selection play it's part ? I got some kids ( I'm calling them this because this is how they act) in my latest group of new hires. Told em you got three chances with me after I teach you the ropes and I feel you should know how to conduct yourself ( like you know how to unlock the truck , you know what to do when I'm gone ,you know who's who and just generally how your supposed to act and do your job ).Three times I'll try to help you out ,talk to the boss on your behalf, ect but after that your on your own . First time I'll count it as ignorance ,second time it's forgetfulness ,third time it my just be your bad day but after that I've explained ,re explained and tried to clarify to the best of my abilities. I've explained this to my supervisors and they seem to understand where I'm coming from ( I can't hire or fire just send it up to them ).Seems to me the good workers only need to use one of those, the ones who ain't worth nothing use up all their chances and end up getting caught up in natural selection. Had one guy I kept telling to stay off his phone and keep busy because we're being recorded on a camera and the managers love to sneak up on us to make sure we're working , three times he didn't listen and he ended up having a manager sit and watch to him for a good ten minutes until she had enough and chewed him a new one. He still does it with a pretty crappy I can do what I want attitude so don't think he'll last too long .
What say y'all ? After what point do you just let the Hawks dive in ?

I would give less chances. But I have zero say and we are a union company. The union is great in many ways but protects the slugs that need fired.

You have more patience than I.

Probably the main reason I'm a sole proprietor.

Be patient. If any of us older guys are going to succeed with the younger generations, WE are the ones who have to learn new skills. I am not saying to accommodate idiocy, laziness, sloth, long lunches, poor performance, bad attitude etc. We do need to understand how badly the last two generations were both raised and educated. Their parents doted on them and let them endlessly play foolish video games. Their schools taught them all kinds of anti-America junk that sapped their will to excel. What we now have are self-satisfied, over-indulged wimps and weenies who expect their mommy to come running with that peanut butter smoothie NOW. It is a terrible situation, but it is what we have, and we need managerial skill sets that allow us to re-grow and re-train these nincompoops.
And I agree, the phone thing is out of control.

I feel your pain, Wolfie. I was an HR Director of over 180 employees for about 24 years. Many, many times I would go way out on a limb to help them get through employment and life. For the most part I was able to help them through mistakes and misjudgments to achieve success.

One of the worst parts of my job was when I went way out on a limb for someone and when I turned around they were sawing at the limb. That is when I turned into a very different and less tolerant person, and heads would roll.

Good luck and hang in there!

Moosetrot

Depends a lot on their attitude. Phones should be locked in their lockers during work hours.

If there's no legitimate reason for them to be on the phone and you see them on their phone hand them a broom, mop or a rag. If there's time to lean there's time to clean. Don't bring up the phone just make them clean.

You can't fix a bad - I'm entitled to do whatever I want - attitude. Some have to learn the hard way. Let him suffer the natural consequences and maybe it'll help him grow up.

Yeah attitude is a big thing. I tell them from the get go I'm pretty chill when it come to the phone deal. Heck I have a ear bud in 80% of the time ( I like listing to audio books or music when I'm not driving the forklift, helps me focus) and I will check my phone real quick every 15min though ,pull it out tap tap tap chance the song done back in my pocket usually try not to stop moving or I do it when I'm taking a lil water break. Half these young yahoos though , every 2 minutes, and they will just drop everything and just stare ,or even just sit down and tap away for 5min , RIGHT UNDER THE DANG CAMERA ! That or they won't even attempt to look like their not on it, holding it like 6" from their face. Slow waking . Wanna listen to music fine ,talked to the manager as long as their in the back they can wear ONE ear bud so they can hear me or whatever. Half of them can figure this out and get made when I tell them only one. Then they try and blare whatever crap their listing to over their phones speaker like I'd be cool if it was some chill music but when Evey other word is cussing I would hope common sense would take over but nooooope. And don't get me stared on them and these sagging pants ,I swear I think I have too high of standards.

But in the flip side when it come to women and older guy I just don't have these problems. The older guys I have say bet ! They stick one bud in and work ! Or they will do three times the amount of work for Evey bit of time it takes them to check their phone. If I ask them not to do something I rarely have to repeat my self . Last older guy I had was 38 I think. Wore one of those trucker head sets with just the one ear , dude out wired every young I had. Never had to get in him for anything. And just about every woman I've had can multitask. Had one girl who would unload the rails stack the boxes in the appropriate pallets before going back to fiddling with her phone while she waited for the rails to be loaded again. Again she out worked these young boys no problem.

Honestly I don't think it's the phones I just think is a complete lack of maturity and male influence.

The problem is the second I turn my back alot of them just go right back too it. If I have to babysit you to make sure you sweep why are you employed is my question

The multiple chances help with my anger problem . At least now when I lose it I know they deserve it.

Didn't read all of this quick question.

Ban personal phones and install a pay phone and change machine.
Get back some of that stolen money the company is losing to slackers.

I did once fire a guy that couldn't find the phone off button.
If I had got hurt cause of him not paying attention, I'd a felt worse than he.

Times change.
I still say this is just practice for real trouble.

Old School, showing respect earns respect.
Entitled? There is the door.

I agree with phones in the locker. That removes the temptation and actually makes them look for work to do instead of using the phone to combat boredom.

Three strikes is fair if a person is trying but makes mistakes. For those that intentionally violate the rules 1 strike and they are out. That sends a strong message to those still employed in addition to the person fired. To be fair, they have to know in advance what the critical issues are.

Dang that stinks.

Many people do not want to work they just want a paycheck. Good workers are gonna have a good job not sweeping the floor for minimum wage.

Like kids, dogs, and horses, make that first correction memorable!... and the 3rd strike is out in baseball.

Was talking to a lady employee at Tractor Supply, all the employees were women, and all do heavy work and drive the forklifts. She said the guys last at most a week or less, sometimes not even coming in to collect their pay...

Sounds like you're a DS of Freight. No offense, but when I worked there it seemed as if the absolute stupidest employees were the ones that got sent to work freight. So, you're likely working with the worst the company has to offer. I would say 3 chances are more than enough.

Really wish we got paid buy work done instead of hours worked. Would definitely be a better incentive

I mean it's a pretty basic job requires some basic common sense but heck that's hard to find it seems

You are not dealing with "natural selection", natural selection would have had them gone long before they got to you. You may be dealing with "artificial I am special". Painting outside the lines is now what many feel is their privilege and others need to adjust.

Bryce

That's when my mouthful of drink went projectile!

When I'm having an issue with a team member that is not living up to expectations, I ask myself, what am I doing wrong. What can I do different to get buy in or motivate this person to better understand the need for the task. Trybto look at the situation from the proverbial 20,000 feet. That doesn't necessarily mean I coddle them. I still set clear expectations and in writing after a bit. What happens then is they are gone by their own accord within 3 month.