It’s not just tradesperson’s (to be politically correct) it’s customer service personal, how many times do you get to a shop and stand around looking for assistance and no one in sight or you find several staff standing around talking to each other or on the bosses phone with a personal call. They don’t hide it either they obviously think it is their right to do this. If you interrupt them by saying excuse me can you help me, they look at you and give you a filthy look or ignore you completely.
How many times has this happened to you? You are receiving service from someone and they hurry you up, rush you or pressure you into making a decision on a purchase or service because they are due to finish work shortly. Gone are the days when staff went above and beyond the call of duty to get a sale or assist a customer. “Due off in 5 minutes it doesn’t matter I’ll help you find what you require” you just don’t find that these days.
What is different? What is work – lifestyle balance? We have become so automated it’s like a watered down version of a science fiction movie from the future. The Occupation Health and Safety people have us convinced that we should not work 5 minutes more than the hours outlined in our contracts, which is OK I guess but hey they don’t say anything about the time at work we waste talking within ourselves or taking smoke breaks to private phone calls. Small and large business owners are losing out here, they have to comply with all these new rules and regulations but the staff want it both ways I’ll only do what is outlined in my contract and I also want the boss to be kind and forgiving with my slacking off.
I thought jobs were hard to get! If there are so many people looking for jobs how come there are so many people in the wrong job. They’re obviously in the wrong job – because they have no pride in the service they are providing. Whose problem is this, the employers or the employee’s? Give me employees who will, if 5 pm comes and they still have someone on the phone with a booking or just an enquiry, or they are getting an important report out continues until the task at hand is complete in the best fashion not hurried or rushed. This behaviour will be rewarded, the employer will be more likely to say hey “JOE” it’s quiet today why don’t you finish up today and make an early start to the weekend or why don’t you slip up to the shops and get what you need to take home tonight now before the rush hour.
Sick days – How many people today think it is normal and their right to take all the possible sick days that they are entitled to, sick or not. Part of the Australian vernacular is now “let’s take a sickie”. But that’s another subject for another day.
Teresa owns a leading car rental site. She understands the importance of good work ethics and you can visit her blog to view other relevant articles. http://www.webbcarr.com
