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"Some stuff came up"
March 7, 2013 at 9:40 pm
Completely unrelated to this forum but I had a workplace experience I must share.
As some may know about me, I run a small business of about 15 employees. Since the time I first came to this business in 1992, I've heard a lot of calls requesting an excused absence but never one quite like this.
This relatively new employee had worked for me for the last several months. Her attendance had deteriorated in the last month or so as she'd been missing work on a weekly basis for one reason or another. Yesterday, I came into work to find a message from her on our company voicemail left at 4:30 AM.
She announced she wouldn't be coming into work because "some stuff came up".
Seriously, that was it.
"Some stuff came up".
Here I am thinking, "that's fine ...when you're calling off an RSVP for someone's party. But for a job, that's not sufficient."
When I spoke with her and her supervisor about the event and her attendance problem, she angrily stormed out of the meeting and quit.
I'm still just amazed at all this. My wife seems to think it's a generational issue, that young adults in America today are spoiled and full of a sense of entitlement. Anyone else have any thoughts on this?
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RE: "Some stuff came up"
March 7, 2013 at 9:46 pm
I wouldnt dare do anything like that, then again we have a different "working culture" here.
Did you ask what the "stuff" was?
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RE: "Some stuff came up"
March 7, 2013 at 9:54 pm
(This post was last modified: March 7, 2013 at 9:57 pm by Minimalist.)
I agree with your wife. I take it she was a 20-something?
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RE: "Some stuff came up"
March 7, 2013 at 9:54 pm
(March 7, 2013 at 9:40 pm)DeistPaladin Wrote: My wife seems to think it's a generational issue, that young adults in America today are spoiled and full of a sense of entitlement.
I have sometimes thought that I am an abberation of my generation. I am still uncertain on the issue, however I can say without a doubt that I would never even think of doing something this rude and disrespectful, regardless of whether or not there would be any reprecussions.
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RE: "Some stuff came up"
March 7, 2013 at 10:10 pm
(March 7, 2013 at 9:54 pm)Darkstar Wrote: (March 7, 2013 at 9:40 pm)DeistPaladin Wrote: My wife seems to think it's a generational issue, that young adults in America today are spoiled and full of a sense of entitlement.
I have sometimes thought that I am an abberation of my generation. I am still uncertain on the issue, however I can say without a doubt that I would never even think of doing something this rude and disrespectful, regardless of whether or not there would be any reprecussions.
Perhaps you're not listening to enough hip hop. Maybe more rap music will help you align better with your generation?
I kid. Good for you and I feel the same way. I honor commitments unless there is an important and unexpected reason not to. Those who don't do the same don't warrant future engagements.
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RE: "Some stuff came up"
March 8, 2013 at 12:43 am
(March 7, 2013 at 9:40 pm)DeistPaladin Wrote: I'm still just amazed at all this. My wife seems to think it's a generational issue, that young adults in America today are spoiled and full of a sense of entitlement. Anyone else have any thoughts on this?
It could be something going on in her life that she can't talk about.
It could be she hates being there.
It could simply be that she doesn't want to get up.
You never will know.
Given the data presented, anyone postulating about "entitlement" is full of know-nothing bullshit.
Without further information, judgement is insufficient.
It also reeks of oldster "Damn young folks are SO entitled!" (as they suck down millions of dollars in Medicare).
Good for you on gaining an opening -- perhaps you have an opportunity to find someone more invested and interested in a long term relationship with the company.
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RE: "Some stuff came up"
March 8, 2013 at 12:56 am
Hmmm
"Stuff came up" could mean alot of things...like
I'm too stoned/drunk/busy with sex-life fuck orf!
OR
....I'm racing around doing four jobs to keep my mum in health care because my father is an arsehole/ I have medical issues I'm trying to resolve and consequently none of your business.
I feel sorry for the girl that she couldn't have thought of a line that was a bit more polite. Hope she finds more work.
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RE: "Some stuff came up"
March 8, 2013 at 1:05 am
So when 35 year old managers complain about 20-somethings it is our fault? Fuck that.
The problem is spoken of frequently over here.
http://www.ritaashley.com/2012/09/13/wha...eneration/
Quote:And my newest friend, a recently retired Computer Science Professor, told me she was relived to retire two years ago because of late, the students refused to put in the effort and had no desire to learn why they were doing or learning any given skill. She said they just wanted the answers so they could pass the tests and get out of school. Cheating had become a daily concern. She found their communication skills at sixth grade level and their curiosity, nil. Not one to base my opinion on a sample of one, I queried other IT and CS teaching/training professionals. To a person, they complained of the same thing: Minimal effort for maximum demands and high expectations that once graduated, they would get six figure jobs and/or management positions immediately.
My son is 33 and works in a high school and he complains bitterly about "kids today." I laugh my ass off at him because he sounds like me and like my dad sounded. Still, he does make some good points.
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RE: "Some stuff came up"
March 8, 2013 at 1:21 am
(March 8, 2013 at 1:05 am)Minimalist Wrote: So when 35 year old managers complain about 20-somethings it is our fault? Fuck that.
Hey, we learn from our elders.
Wanna tell me what group famously protested against government while keeping their medicare?
(March 8, 2013 at 1:05 am)Minimalist Wrote: My son is 33 and works in a high school and he complains bitterly about "kids today." I laugh my ass off at him because he sounds like me and like my dad sounded. Still, he does make some good points.
I understand that too well.
To be honest, it's really a culture of assholes getting by and in many cases prospering.
The cycle of dick is eternal.
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RE: "Some stuff came up"
March 8, 2013 at 1:26 am
(This post was last modified: March 8, 2013 at 1:28 am by Jackalope.)
(March 7, 2013 at 9:40 pm)DeistPaladin Wrote: 4:30 AM [...] She announced she wouldn't be coming into work because "some stuff came up".
First thing that popped into my head is that this really means...
"I've been doing blow all night long and am waaaaaay too wasted to come to work."
Of course, that's pure supposition - without more information I couldn't say.
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