What is wrong with Employees?

[joetama 5,000+ posts]

I surf the internet because the tasks assigned do not take up my whole day.
I pay all the utility bills for an air force base and monitor all the funds for the base. It used to take two people to accomplish this task. I can do it by myself and still surf approximately 5 hours of the work day. Perhaps if my employer gave me more challenging work...I would surf less.

Indeed, I can defiantly see that being an acceptable reason. But, would you surf if you had stuff to do? Some people do, and that is what I have a problem with.

 

[murphy]

The question is, does the work you assign get completed? How is the work product? If the job gets done, then quit crying. If it doesn't, get some one who is efficient enough to get it done.

PS - I'm currently at work //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif

 

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

Indeed, I can defiantly see that being an acceptable reason. But, would you surf if you had stuff to do? Some people do, and that is what I have a problem with.

I surf in one monitor and work in the other. I click refresh from time to time....or get in a convo if it is something interesting.

But the tasks I have are the same every day (except the 1st week of the month). If I discover ways to accomplish the tasks more effeciently, I feel I am granted more surfing time. If they cut off internet access, I'd just drag those tasks out.

 

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

Indeed, I can defiantly see that being an acceptable reason. But, would you surf if you had stuff to do? Some people do, and that is what I have a problem with.

Are they not getting assigned tasks completed in a timely manner? Then that is an issue. But I see no harm in an employee working dilligently to complete an assigned task quickly (and accurately) so he could ******** the rest of his time.

 

[btdickey99 5,000+ posts]

I do agree that if the employee is getting his full tasks done and doing the best to his ability then being on the internet when theres down time should be ok.

If I wasnt able to do anything during my down time at work I would get wore out, andwouldnt have lasted long

 

[joetama 5,000+ posts]

Do you ensure that the employees are tasked optimally? If there is no work to do, and you cannot send them home (well if you did, you would have to pay them anyways because they are salaried)...what do you do? You can eliminate positions are they are mandated by Congress.

They always have something to do. If they aren't helping customers we have a list of people they need to call about sales, do follow ups on sales leads, do follow ups on customers they sold to make sure everything is working, clean/arrange displays, do online training, learn about new promotions and equipment packages, etc etc etc.

There is about 500 people on the list everyday so with 8 people working + customers coming in there is no way they can get all of the way through the list.

They also know specifically what goals we have for them to accomplish as far as training and certification goes.

So, no there is no excuse for them to be sitting on their bums.

 

[Rookie_80 10+ year member]

Well its not about what employees do really.

Its all about management.

For example- if you are the manager- think of task and give to your employee - don't forget to give him the deadline too. If he doesn't complete and messes up - he deserves to be fired.

But if he does complete it and does it well and does it all while goofing around the internet as well - then who cares? He's productive and thats all that matters.

 

[murphy]

Sounds like a very exciting place to work!

 

[mokedaddy 5,000+ posts]

Are you talking about retail?

 

[murphy]

Basically, if you have an endless list of tasks for your employees to complete, you are promoting this "stroking the clock."

 

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

They always have something to do. If they aren't helping customers we have a list of people they need to call about sales, do follow ups on sales leads, do follow ups on customers they sold to make sure everything is working, clean/arrange displays, do online training, learn about new promotions and equipment packages, etc etc etc.
There is about 500 people on the list everyday so with 8 people working + customers coming in there is no way they can get all of the way through the list.

They also know specifically what goals we have for them to accomplish as far as training and certification goes.

So, no there is no excuse for them to be sitting on their bums.

But again, I don't have customers persay. I have a list of tasks to accomplish in a given month. The faster I complete the tasks, the more time I get to BS. If I worked piecemeal or there was a financial incentive to do more, I would but there is not. I cannot get any raise, bonus, or promotion. Well I get an automatic raise in Jan. and I cannot get a promotion for 5+ years (we get promoted through attrition).

 

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

Basically, if you have an endless list of tasks for your employees to complete, you are promoting this "stroking the clock."

You mean if you don't.

If his employer schedules such that the average employer is able to accomplish 40 in a given 8 hour shift. Suppose I walk in and able to accomplish those 40 tasks in 6. It is obvious that I will not be compensated financially for my increase productivity.

So, my choices are work hard and dawdel for 2 hours....or extend the 40 tasks into an 8 hour shift like everyone else.

 

[newusername 10+ year member]

It sounds like there is never an assigned list of tasks to be completed an assigned period of time...people struggle without regimented schedules that they see as completable.

And some people are just pieces of shit.

 

[mokedaddy 5,000+ posts]

You mean if you don't.
If his employer schedules such that the average employer is able to accomplish 40 in a given 8 hour shift. Suppose I walk in and able to accomplish those 40 tasks in 6. It is obvious that I will not be compensated financially for my increase productivity.

So, my choices are work hard and dawdel for 2 hours....or extend the 40 tasks into an 8 hour shift like everyone else.

Sadly this is what the workplace is coming to. Pretty much gone are the days of being rewarded for working hard. These days its usually about who can kiss the most ass.

 

[joetama 5,000+ posts]

The question is, does the work you assign get completed? How is the work product? If the job gets done, then quit crying. If it doesn't, get some one who is efficient enough to get it done.
PS - I'm currently at work //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif

Yes the work gets done, does it get done efficiently enough no. Do some employees do it great yes, and we find all great employees no.

I surf in one monitor and work in the other. I click refresh from time to time....or get in a convo if it is something interesting.
But the tasks I have are the same every day (except the 1st week of the month). If I discover ways to accomplish the tasks more effeciently, I feel I am granted more surfing time. If they cut off internet access, I'd just drag those tasks out.

I would have expected better out of you Flip.

Are they not getting assigned tasks completed in a timely manner? Then that is an issue. But I see no harm in an employee working dilligently to complete an assigned task quickly (and accurately) so he could ******** the rest of his time.

The problem with this is that it shows no initiative for anything other than you wanting to play online. Which IMO is sad at best.

I do agree that if the employee is getting his full tasks done and doing the best to his ability then being on the internet when theres down time should be ok.
If I wasnt able to do anything during my down time at work I would get wore out, andwouldnt have lasted long

Sounds like you need to work on the endurance a little there...

My grandfather is 85 years old, my father 48, I'm 22 and I don't get 'wore out' when I work and neither do they.

9AM to 5PM isn't that long of a day. Especially if you are part time like a lot of our employees...

I guess I am just off base with the way people think. To be honest, if I am paying you to do a job and you play on the internet you are no better than a thief or a scammer. You are stealing money from me that I am paying you to do a job.