primitive's acquaintance loses job

[franksolich]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022618003

Oh my.

Lurker Deluxe (230 posts)    Fri Apr 5, 2013, 08:21 AM

An acquaintance lost her job

I pretty much stop at the local watering hole very day after work, I skip a day here and there ... but if I am working you can usually find me there. So you get to know the "locals" pretty well after a couple years. This story is about one of them.
 
She worked in a corporate setting, nice looking girl, smarter than average, and seemed to have her shit together ... as much as one can tell over conversations around Patron shots. She had been there over three years and was moving up the ladder as it were.
 
A few weeks ago she let it be known that the company was having her cross train another person to help with the workload, and although she was not happy she went along with the program. I kind of helped there as I put it, the first step to supervision is training other people to perform a task and making sure it gets done properly. So over the last few weeks she has been teaching someone else to do her job.
 
At the end of business Wednesday she was let go by the company. She inquired as to why and was told that the other person was "more dependable". It was an interesting conversation from there ... Was she late to work? "only a couple times a week" Did she go to work every day? "I miss like 4-5 days a month" Do you generally work 40 or more hours a week? "well, I was salaried so I really did not have to" What do you intend to do now? "I think I will go back to bar tending" Why? "I really don't like getting up early" What time did you have to go in? "nine" I bought her a couple of drinks as we spoke and paid my tab (6 pm) and politely told her it was time to get my ass to the house and she asked me what I was "doing tonight". Uhhh, sleeping ... I get up at 4 every day.
 
So yesterday I stop in and the owner of the watering hole struck up a conversation about this young lady. It seems that around October of last year she started running around with a couple of the bartenders and was closing the place down three or four nights a week and some days she would be waiting there for them to open and start drinking at eleven and stay there until two. Why would this person begin down such a destructive path? "she likes to drink" Hell, I like to drink, but I can't do it without money so I know when to take my dumb ass to the house. "well, she would rather hang out with friends than do that" Such is life.
 
I post this just as a gentle reminder to those out there that insist that everyone who has a good job and manages to be successful is not just lucky, and that those who end up working at some job that has no benefits, insurance, or opportunity for advancement is not just unlucky. Work ethic still means something in the world, something I think this young lady will learn ... after being fired from a bar tending gig for lack of attendance.

irisblue (1,429 posts)    Fri Apr 5, 2013, 08:38 AM

1. she might have been drinking d/2 the pain of her job

If she is/was drinking to self medicate from a lousy job situation, it does have ripple effects. Hopefully she gets turned around into something that works for her.

liberalhistorian (18,924 posts)    Fri Apr 5, 2013, 08:44 AM

3. And she might have been drinking just because she liked it and wanted to continue partying all night well into adulthood. Not everyone is unlucky and sometimes people really are irresponsible and lazy. Most people don't like getting up in the morning, but they do it 'cause it's the responsible thing to do and they need to keep a roof over their head and food on their table.
 
If I were her employer, I likely wouldn't have kept her on, either. Absent four or five times a month? Late a couple times a week? Not taking your job seriously enough to at least try to work well at it? No, I don't think so. Unless they're dealing with a serious illness, or a family member with a serious illness. But that wasn't the case here. Work ethic really still IS important.

undeterred (32,950 posts)    Fri Apr 5, 2013, 08:44 AM

2. Is it Sunday?

I think we just heard a sermon from the right wing.

liberalhistorian (18,924 posts)    Fri Apr 5, 2013, 08:47 AM

4. What "sermon"?

You think it's okay to party the night away and then not show up for work four or five times a month or be late a couple times a week? You think people should be able to just show up for work whenever they feel like it? Not put in the required hours per week? You think people shouldn't at least TRY to do a good job? People are not automatically owed paychecks. You still have to work for them.

Voice for Peace (8,197 posts)    Fri Apr 5, 2013, 09:01 AM

6. yes but .. duh.. do people here really not know that?

it does feel a bit like a sermon from someone who thinks liberals don't know how to keep a job.

The Idiot Briggs primitive:

IdaBriggs (6,027 posts)    Fri Apr 5, 2013, 09:19 AM

11. "Work Ethic" is less a liberal vs conservative thing, in my opinion, and almost a "generational" thing at some level.

Recreational time and available activities pretty much exploded beginning in the 1960s/1970s, and we now spend ridiculous numbers of hours watching television/playing video games/surfing the net/etc.
 
Our recreation is a multi-BILLION dollar industry, probably second only (if that) to our defense industry.
 
I am in in my 40s, and "work ethic" was a very big deal for my family. Despite my many conveniences - plumbing, electricity, grocery stores, cooking appliances, dishwasher, in-home laundry, etc. - I still feel like I have *less* time to relax than my mother did, but I probably spend more time plunked in front of an electronic device (television or computer) than she ever *dreamed* about - and I was lucky enough to have "good examples" as to what "work ethic" both looked like, and was required in my home.
 
Our entire entertainment industry revolves around people Not Working, to the point where people watching might think "Not Working" is normal. Pick any television show, and (with the exception of crime solving shows) figure out how much time the protagonists spend "working" - or what their jobs actually are.
 
Good luck. Most seem to have the job of sitting around someplace socializing with their friends - lol!
 
Everything really becomes about what you internally "normalize" as acceptable behavior. If your employer has an expectation that you will a) show up and b) on time, but you think "timely" is a range, then speaking from personal experience, there is going to be a conflict.
 
The golden rule still applies: "he who has the gold makes the rules!"

That is what my mother used to say, anyway. She is a very smart woman.

Voice for Peace (8,197 posts)    Fri Apr 5, 2013, 09:37 AM

16. "he who has the gold makes the rules!"

I haven't heard that golden rule.

IdaBriggs (6,027 posts)    Fri Apr 5, 2013, 09:56 AM

22. My mom is a very smart lady.

It was/is her standard answer whenever one of us complains about our jobs.

Keeps life in perspective, doesn't it?

undeterred (32,950 posts)   Fri Apr 5, 2013, 09:10 AM

9. You've taken an anecdote and generalized from it to the point of absurdity:

"I post this just as a gentle reminder to those out there that insist that everyone who has a good job and manages to be successful is not just lucky, and that those who end up working at some job that has no benefits, insurance, or opportunity for advancement is not just unlucky."
 
Employers are turning more and more towards the use of workers who they can get to do the work without providing any benefits at all. This happens at all levels of employment. It has nothing to do with the work ethic or intelligence of the individuals and everything to do with the employer trying to get as much as they can from their workers and give back as little as possible. Any move to unionize is immediately crushed. Its not bad luck that creates jobs with no benefits or security, its bad politics.
 
You totally missed the big picture.

samplegirl (5,571 posts)    Fri Apr 5, 2013, 09:28 AM

13. Look at some of his other posts

--in reference to the original post.....

The guy is a RW troll!

Lurker Deluxe (230 posts)   Fri Apr 5, 2013, 09:43 AM

18. Not sure what I am

I know where my heart lies, and I know what I believe in. Around this "discussion forum" I am not sure what I am. I do notice that I do not fit in with quite a few of you ... you, samplegirl, would obviously be one of them.
 
In an attempt to discuss a simple point of how people approach life and how they determine who they are going to be and how they will be treated the responses from you are on point from what I see more often than not. Nothing constructive to add to the conversation.
 
You are more than welcome to review my post history and see what you can come up with that suggest "rw troll" ... I could look at your post history, but I would rather respond to a post than attempt to judge someone else's motives about what they post.

IdaBriggs (6,027 posts)    Fri Apr 5, 2013, 09:08 AM

7. High school really seems to be a key point for whether people will succeed or fail in life.

To succeed, you have to:

a) Get up Every Single Morning & Be On Time (even if you would rather sleep in/there are ten million reasons to be late)
 
b) Do STUPID things that authority figures insist are important, even if you disagree
 
c) Behave RESPECTFULLY to authority figures, even if THEY are rude or disrespectful to you
 
d) Do Your OWN Work & Do It Well (even if it is stupid and everyone else doesn't have to and they are all having fun)
 
e) Get Along With Other People / No Fighting or Being Disruptive (even if other people are difficult)
 
My observation is that high school in particular is really when these "life skills" (of the lack thereof) really start shining through; prior to the teenage years, your parents are 100% responsible for "training you" in these things, but by the time someone hits 16 / 17, they really get to make the decision about whether or not they are going to go along with the program.
 
Many people can't or don't want to be SELF-disciplined enough to do these things, or since they don't see the sense in doing "stupid things" they indulge themselves in "bad habits" or become so involved in "recreational activities" that they never learn "the work ethic" stuff that will help them be successful in life.
 
We are a "business" society; the above five things (and I know there are more) that we teach in school all apply to dealing with co-workers, management and customers. The "bad boys" who went into the trades (plumbing, for example) who skipped a lot/spent most of high school "high" because it was "boring" are the ones (in my observation as a customer) who have trouble *keeping* loyal customers because they don't show up, or don't show up on time, or have trouble getting along, or can't keep on top of their "boring paperwork" (like bills, taxes, and invoicing), and end up working for other people instead of being "independent" like they want to be, while the guy who is dependable gets repeat calls because he *is* dependable.
 
My opinion. Your experiences may vary. Good post, Lurker Deluxe. The first rule to any job is "SHOW UP" - after that, most stuff is negotiable!

hobbit709 (25,491 posts)    Fri Apr 5, 2013, 09:08 AM

8. There's a big difference between being fired for chronic absenteeism and tardiness

And being dumped because of outsourcing and cost cutting downsizing.

99Forever (4,620 posts)    Fri Apr 5, 2013, 09:15 AM

10. Smells made up to me.

Sorry bud, that reeks of false moralistic superiority bullshit to me.

I could be wrong, but i doubt it.

winter is coming (424 posts)   Fri Apr 5, 2013, 09:28 AM

12. +1. I know *one* person who lost his job for being a flake.

And at least a dozen who lost theirs while doing "all the right things".

IdaBriggs (6,027 posts)    Fri Apr 5, 2013, 09:30 AM

15. 99Forever, you are demonstrating one of my pet peeves here on DU.

Automatic dismissal of a DISCUSSION POINT on a DISCUSSION BOARD because of a "fill in the blank" reason.
 
There are so many different places you could go with the original post: personal experience, societal expectations, generational value systems, rural versus urban economic work ethics - just to name a few.
 
But you went to "dismissive ignore" with "false moralistic superiority bullshit" insult.
 
Why bother?

It is the internet. It might be a true story; it might NOT be a true story. The point is to DISCUSS IT and what it implies.
 
If you don't have anything to add, don't up your post count MINIMIZING somebody else's offering.
 
Just move on.

BUT if you have an actual THOUGHT you would like to share for DISCUSSION purposes, welcome to DU!
 
(And yes, you aren't the only poster who does this - you just caught my attention today.)

99Forever (4,620 posts)    Fri Apr 5, 2013, 09:37 AM

17. Who are you, the Posting Police?

Do I tell you what you should or shouldn't post? Mind your own damn business. If you don't like what I have to say, put me on ignore.

IdaBriggs (6,027 posts)    Fri Apr 5, 2013, 09:53 AM

21. Yes, yes, I *am* the posting police - and you make my point perfectly.

If you didn't have anything to actually CONTRIBUTE to the discussion, then you should have ignored the thread.
 
And if you hadn't a history of actually MAKING useful contributions in the past, I would have done so.
 
In particular, I thought this thread of yours was brilliant: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022540533
 
I *like* when you actually spend time *participating* in the discussion, and not just "eh, its made up, so who cares?"
 
Well, made up or not, SHARE YOUR OPINION ON THE TOPIC.

Or don't, and ignore the thread without the dismissive insult.

Lurker Deluxe (230 posts)    Fri Apr 5, 2013, 09:50 AM

19. You could be

And I could post her FB page and confirm it ... that would just make me a prick though.
 
You believe what you believe ... nothing that can be said on a message board can be proven one way or another.
 
In other news from the local tavern a couple went on vacation to Florida where he promptly got drunk and hit on some other person of the female persuasion leading to his other half to get on a plane and fly home with his truck keys and wallet.
 
I could have made that up to, but the truth really is more fun.

HipChick (9,174 posts)    Fri Apr 5, 2013, 09:53 AM

20. How old is she?

If you have responsibilities - mortgage,kids etc...it is much harder to be skating out on things like this

ljm2002 (7,084 posts)    Fri Apr 5, 2013, 09:57 AM

23. It sounds like alcoholism...

...and she may be falling into a long-term problem.

I hope she gets the help she needs before it's too late. Bartending is not the best choice of jobs for problem drinkers...

CK_John (5,303 posts)    Fri Apr 5, 2013, 10:03 AM

24. She needs a 12 step program. 90 and 90 meetings. She is a drunk, in denial.

[Carl]

Tells you a lot about them when any suggestion of being responsible is dismissed as invalid and rw.

[JohnnyReb]

My wife has worked everyday for 36 years. She has missed 6 weeks and one day total. 3 weeks each for 2 kids and one sick day.

[Rebel]

At the end of business Wednesday she was let go by the company. She inquired as to why and was told that the other person was "more dependable". It was an interesting conversation from there ... Was she late to work? "only a couple times a week" Did she go to work every day? "I miss like 4-5 days a month" Do you generally work 40 or more hours a week? "well, I was salaried so I really did not have to" What do you intend to do now? "I think I will go back to bar tending" Why? "I really don't like getting up early" What time did you have to go in? "nine" I bought her a couple of drinks as we spoke and paid my tab (6 pm) and politely told her it was time to get my ass to the house and she asked me what I was "doing tonight". Uhhh, sleeping ... I get up at 4 every day.

Yeah, I don't see why she was let go. 

[JohnnyReb]

Yeah, I don't see why she was let go. 

It's the white man keeping her down.

[DumbAss Tanker]

Dang, ol' Ida actually said some sane things in that thread.

 

[jukin]

She might have been drinking d/2 the pain of her president's job. I know I do.

[Karin]

   Jukin.

Seriously, though.  Drinking due to the pain of her job?  It's an office desk job.  WTF. 

Briggs had another thread where she was making sense.  And not afraid to say it.  It was about unions, and their inevitable corruption.  Amongst other un-complimentary things about them. 

undeterred (32,950 posts)    Fri Apr 5, 2013, 08:44 AM

2. Is it Sunday?

I think we just heard a sermon from the right wing.

This struck me, because he's outright admitting that it's conservatives who have the work ethic.