My work group consists of two employees who are not pulling their weight, or even doing the very minimum. They brag about retiring to Florida in two years and say that they are only coming to work to “finish out the string.” If they were let go tomorrow, they would take any severance and celebrate! As a result, I’m picking up far more than my fair share of the burden, work longer hours because of them, and I still have to work for another 20 years! How can I address this?
Look on the bright side — sounds like you’ve got 20 more years of runway than them, and, hopefully, when it’s time to retire you’ll have better options than pink flamingos, alligators in your backyard and early-bird dinners at 4:30 in the afternoon!
As for your work problem — if you’re the boss, then make their dream come true and send them off into the sunset. If you’re their co-worker, talk to them and give them a shot at pulling their weight. If they don’t respond, then tell your boss that you are working longer and harder simply because the other two on the team aren’t stepping up. Then let him or her act like a boss and remedy the situation.
If that doesn’t resolve the issue, well, the only leverage we all have is the threat of taking our time and talent elsewhere. That way, at the very least, you will have made the switch to a better situation.
I own a small business, and have a 14-year-old son. I think learning a strong work ethic from an early age is important. Am I allowed to have him work for me after school and during school breaks?
Some kids have all the luck. Imagine those poor unfortunate kids who have to rough it in summer camp or deal with after school activities.
C’mon dad, really? Junior’s got a lifetime ahead working for the man. Dad shouldn’t be “the man” — he should be dad, helping his kid have fun, spending time with friends and playing sports.
To answer your question, 14 is the minimum age for work after school and on school breaks, unless you own a farm. Then if he is at least 12 he can harvest berries. But set Junior free, I say. He’ll love you for it.