Working as a 20-something in an environment with 40 to 50-somethings, I hear a lot going on that I am shocked by in the work force. The reason I single myself out for this is because I am the youngest person in my department by at least 25 years.
These 40 to 50-somethings work on one task at a time until they complete it, do not take on an extra project unless their work plate is completely cleared, and will rarely help out another if that is “not their job.”
When I was growing up, my classmates and I were taught to multitask and know the ins and outs of whatever project we were working on. Granted, this was middle and high-school; but they were preparing us to learn and know other task so that if one person could not, we could pick up the slack. Here at my place of work, this is rare. You have the one or two people that have been here so long that they understand how the department works and can pick up the slack where needed, but the new hires that come in have a set way of working, and they do not want it disturbed.
The reason I compare age is because of who I work directly with and also the other programs we have at work. There is an Accelerated Development Program (ADP) that admits students that have just graduated from college to take on different roles to prepare them for a supervisor position. They are in this millennial age range where they are taught to multitask and learn different roles for whatever may come their way.
Those who are more flexible with their work are able to take on more challenges to help others out. But what about those who want to do only what they are required to? These are some phrases I hear on a daily basis from those who want to keep to their specific work instructions.
"That's not my job."
I completely understand. You want to do the job you were hired to do and not take on a massive amount of other responsibilities that you don’t get paid for, understandable. In some workplaces, the more responsibilities people take on while not having the title or the pay grade can leave them feeling worn out, unappreciated, and/or frustrated with others.
"I don't get paid enough for this."
This goes hand in hand with the first point of “that’s not my job.” You may not get paid enough for the task you are taking on, but as someone much wiser once told me, you are the only one to blame (in most situations). As an employee, we are allowed to tell people “no,” even if we do not think we are. The more we say “yes,” the more other will rely on us to take on extra work that is not in our job description or in our pay grade.
"I'm done."
This phrase is one that I have a major issue with.
I see this with those who have been in a position where they never deviated from their standard work and did as they were told day in and day out. When it comes time for a new position and new task that may not be in their job description, this is their defense mechanism.
"This is stupid."
My example is when I was in college, my manager at the time asked me to go and mop the cement outside of the store before we opened; no reason provided. I thought this was a joke and continue on preparing the actual store for customers, and he was amazed that I hadn’t done the task he asked.
Yes, this was incredibly stupid and I ruined the mop doing what he asked. But I never actually said that “this is stupid.” I figured he had a reason for what he had asked of me, even if it was the most ridiculous request I had (and still to this day) ever heard.
"They're an idiot."
Belittling someone will get you nowhere in life. So why call them names and put them down?
"They're just young and don't know better."
If they are young and don’t know, then teach them. Maybe they are young and still getting the swing of things. And if that is the case, help them out by teaching them. Don’t let them go on not “knowing better.”
"It is what it is."
This peeves me as much as “I’m so done.” This is settling and while some circumstances cannot be helped, you can still work to push forward to make any and all of the improvements you can up until the last minute and possibly even for the future.
The world is changing and we all need to be on the same page to adapt to the fast paced society we live in. It will not work to only do "your job." You must give it your all and work together doing it.
