This year we started a new franchise called Christmas Decor. Decorating homes for the holidays. The response has been greater than we ever imagined. As of today we have stopped taking orders for this year. Our biggest problem was not booking business, it was finding people to work. We ran ads in four different newspapers, on two different websites, and posted in three different colleges. We got a total of three responses of which no one showed up for an interview. As a part time gig I thought we would have no problem getting people to work. Paying $10.00 an hour I thought was a decent pay especially in Pittsburgh. But I guess not. Real frustrating! In talking to other franchisees across the country I got the same response - people don't want to work. The New York franchises are paying as much as $18.00 an hour with the same results. Remember we're talking hanging Christmas lights, nothing physical or heavy. When laid off landscapers, roofers, etc. can make more money on unemployment why should they work. Growing up it was different, we worked whenever we could and money was not the issue it is today. Who do you think is at fault, and what do you think caused this turnaround?

 

I am sure more people will apply when they find out. I suppose getting the word out is the hardest thing. I am sure there are many young people out there who want to make some extra money this holiday season. I am not sure if it is that people don't want to work or perhaps many are already fully engaged in other work. I remember working at two different jobs when I was a high school student and college student. But then, work ethics might have been a bit different back then. We as a society has gotten much more affluent than ever before. Average kid now has video game consoles that costs hundreds of dollars and probably have an IPOD or two. Also kids may feel they are entitled to some of these things but not all of them. By the way, congratulations on your new endeavor. I think it is a fantastic venture. You create jobs for folks and what a splendid endeavor!

 

Thank you Honda, but the "word" has been out for over a month! We have spent over $1,500.00 in advertising to get kids. And I agree with you 100% kids have it a lot different today then we had it. Maybe because we had to work for everything we got, we made sure our kids didn't have too.

 

I borrowed this from a post in the Politics Forum. It is well worth the read:

Attracting the 20-something worker

 

There was a story about a related subject on TV the other night - about college grads having to be *taught* how to work! Parents have given them such a feeling of entitlement and have handed them everything. And they have been rewarded for just showing up (trophies for everyone on a team, for example) that, when they get out of college and take a job, they expect lots of perks. If they don't get them, they walk to another job. It is absolutely mind boggling. There apparently is no work ethic at all from the younger generation.

EDIT - I see Val has referenced an article about this.

 

I've found that young people today aren't afraid of hard work, they just don't see the point of doing it to benefit someone else.

They look at their parents, who may have been working for 20 or 30 years in a job, and wonder why they do it. After 30 years they have some nice things, but most of them still live paycheck to paycheck.
Many younger people just don't see the point, and would rather be their own boss.

 

Throw in an ipod as incentive?

 

Maury, in many families, NOT ALL, by any means, Little Johnny and Little Susie are living quite well with all activities, clothing, cell phones, etc., being paid for by Mom and Dad. Mom and Dad had to work hard when they were young and wanted to give their kids more than they had. They have done so, and it's not without it consequences, their kids don't have any inclination/reason to get a job, as they have Mom and Dad's credit card to use.

I am surprised, that in today's economy, more parents aren't expecting kids to start paying for some of their own activities, but I think it will happen before long.

My 20 year old nephew finds odd jobs while he is away at college, and knows he is expected to work in the summertime........others in his group, don't have to work, and others simply don't bother. I'm not sure how they get by.

I hope you find some help soon.

 

Uh Oh! Now you've made it political and this thread is going to be banned to the Political Forum.

But you're right. It's a shame you are not down south and could hire all the illegals you wanted. They'd kill for $10 an hour!

 

I have a 16 year old grandson and a 16 year old grandaughter. He's an A student; she's a B student. The grandson did not have a summer job, doesn't have to buy his own gas for his 1/2 ton pickup, and won't cut the grass at home on a riding mower for 40 bucks/cut. His father is an engineer. Our granddaughter had two summer jobs because neither would allow more than part time work, plus she babysits for neighbors and family friends regularly to boot. She works 8 hour shifts every Sat/Sun during the school year at Panara for $7.50/hr - and loves her job. She gets to keep 10% of her earnings (you got to be kiddin'), drives an old Honda with 180k miles, and has to pay for her own gas. Her father is a physician. Same family per se' but totally different attitudes. You figure.