The Work Ethic Debate: Then and Now

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Reflecting on Generational Work Ethic

I often find myself wondering if the younger generation is truly as lazy as they seem. When I was part of the younger generation, did my elders think I was lazy? I doubt it. I have always been complimented on my work ethic, hard work, and attention to detail. As a retail manager, I always set high expectations for my teams and worked alongside them to demonstrate my commitment. In management, I even did remedial tasks like cleaning restrooms and break rooms to show my expectations and willingness to do what it takes to get the job done.

I am a “merchandiser” with an auto parts company. As I reached my 60s, I stepped back from being a District Leader to positions with less responsibility. I first stepped down to a retail unit manager, and eventually into my current position. My job now simply entails remerchandising auto parts stores. I am currently resetting one that was bought by the company I work for.

As I work hard, I watch the younger generation goof off. There isn’t much I can do about it because I am no longer in management and have no authority over them. I watch them stand around, joke, eat, and play on their phones, ignoring customers and the store that I am resetting for them. Not only do they fail to maintain the fresh merchandising I set up, but they also struggle to locate items because they spend no time on the sales floor greeting or assisting customers. They complain about retail theft, blaming me for relocating merchandise to accessible areas. They prefer to lock everything up behind counters to continue their lazy pattern of ignoring customers. When I return after my days off, I find empty boxes of battery chargers, impact wrenches, and other expensive items, and I am blamed for putting these items on the sales floor.

Company Standards vs. Employee Attitudes – Decline in Morale and Performance

The company I work for is not like the major part-store chains. We are a premium parts company that wants items available for customers to see, items that our competition does not carry. We offer winches, top-of-the-line testing tools, agricultural products, and premium electronics. If the employees actually attended to the customers on the sales floor, they would minimize shrinkage, but they don’t care.

The team at this location includes experienced employees, however they are not motivated to do actual work. They know the expectations but fall short. A select few work hard to keep the store together, but their morale has deteriorated.

What I am describing holds true in most of the stores I reset. There are lazy employees, poor customer service, unstocked shelves, dirty stores, floors, and restrooms. Upper management rarely visits the stores and lacks focus when they do. You would think they would have a checklist, an audit, or a purpose for their visit. They might say they “manage by walking around,” but they never seem to walk the sales floor, parts room, restrooms, break room, or stock areas. They get out of their vehicle and head straight to the office, have a quick visit, and are out the door in less than a couple of hours. There is no direction, to-do lists, or focus on customer service. They never even assist a customer when visiting.

I see this behavior in many retailers now. Employees are disengaged and expect high pay for little work. I started this blog wondering if my parents and grandparents thought the same about me, but I have worked hard all my life. I am the exception, and because of my work ethic, my children are exceptions too. They are both successful in their careers and are top performers.

Concerns for the Future of Retail

I wonder when the poor work ethic and weak leadership will contribute to the failures of many businesses. We are already seeing many retail establishments close their doors. Many are closing due to retail theft, but the ones I see failing aren’t making the numbers because of poor customer service, stemming from lazy employees. Since I have only been on earth for 67 years, I wonder if there have been other lazy, entitled generations in the past. Looking at our country, I don’t believe so. Most employees under 40 years old have a “you owe it to me” attitude, though there are exceptions.

I can see why business is moving away from retail storefronts to online platforms. Employees don’t have to dress well, look professional, or interact with customers. Most have nose rings, tattoos all over their faces and bodies, and dyed hair. In a warehouse, where you pull orders, it doesn’t matter.

I appreciate my part-time job in retirement. It helps me pay for things I wouldn’t be able to afford otherwise. I wish people appreciated the work I do now, but that seems to be a thing of the past. I have turned out beautiful retail store sales floors, only to find them trashed a month later. I never get a compliment for the work I do. The pride I take in a job well done is enough to satisfy me. I wonder how much longer I can work in this environment before I’ve had enough. If inflation weren’t getting to me, I would have called it quits a couple of years ago. Two to three days a week is all I can take now. I am frustrated with what I see, but management does not seem to care. I wonder what stores will look like 20 years from now. I would be 87, and I’m not sure I’ll be around. Like all old people, my knees and feet are killing me from working on concrete for 45 years, so I work every day in pain to make a living. The younger generation has no idea how good they have it. 

Perhaps when I am nothing but a memory, people will look back at me and say, 

That Guy Was A Hell of a Worker. What Happened to People Like Him?

Mike