Evolution of the Employee

You ever wonder about evolution? I do quite often. Thinking about our human species, I take a deep dive into how well adapted we are at many different things. Then I consider the process of evolution and the theory of natural selection and how it all took a continuous ongoing process for the past 3.5 billion years! Holy cow, that is a long time to evolve into what and who we are.

Then I take a look at all the various jobs and employees out there doing these jobs. As an employer, we don’t have 3.5 billion years for employees to evolve. So, you’ve been at your current job for 10 years now. You do your job the way you believe your job is supposed to be done. However, you do some things wrong and or badly. I’m sure there are supervisors and bosses out there who train, teach and correct when possible, but what about just plain old evolution? Have you ever watched someone else do a task and think, that seems easier and more efficient!

For me, working in the food and beverage industry for many years now, I have been taught and learned a lot over the years, but one of my best attributes is my evolution into the job. I have learned, mostly from mistakes, how to do things better, more efficiently and effectively. Today, as a boss, I have taken on a new pet peeve and it all stems from watching employees do tasks, especially tasks that get addressed, and tasks that have been discussed and tasks that have been taught and demonstrated. Where’s the evolution? In todays society, we are in a serious pickle. Lets say, evolution of the employee will take somewhere around 20 years. Most people working in the food and beverage industry won’t be at the same job in 20 years. This, leaving businesses with a new work crew every so often. In this theory, we are fighting against evolution and we as a society are devolving.

If evolution continues to occur and species adapt to environments and new spcies emerge over time, can we assume employees will adapt and learn or is the work world devolving as the occupants of the planet are evolving? If our human race is growing towards bigger and better, it is moving farther from the ability of work bigger and better. Until Next Time, Happy Reading!!

An example of a devolving work force

A Lost Society

Recently, a new restaurant has opened in my home town. It is a restaurant well known in other states. This restaurant made its way into my state. It is nice to see more restaurants and more job opportunities coming to town. However, this is not the problem here.

The problem, I noticed is, every restaurant in the area is struggling to find employees.

This new restaurant, is offering a free sandwich a week for one year to the first 200 customers. Here is where society gets confused. People lined up for over 15 hours to wait just to obtain the “golden ticket” to their free sandwich.

I have to know, do these people have jobs? Would they ever line up for more than 15 hours for a job interview? Did any of these people report off work just to stand in line?

People in these communities are failing themselves and the businesses where hard work and dedication is needed to succeed.

Ad for a free sandwich, I don’t need that in my life. I am not a fan of schemes or gimmicks to get people in the doors.

I would much rather see people flock to a new business because of the stellar service and outstanding product offered, not a free offer gimmick!

I am a business owner, and people just are not applying for jobs. The very few who have applied, were hired, and unfortunately quit within a very short time.

Understanding the new generations of kids these days is difficult. All have the same concerns, “what is the most money I can make” with the least amount of responsibility.

Is it a parental failure or an educational failure or a combination of both? Why are so many younger people unwilling to put in work, pick up shifts, accept the fact that time, performance and consistency equates to raises and more money? Instead, most quit either by no call no show or a text about how the job isn’t for them.

Whatever the answer is, the one sure thing I do know, people are more willing to sit outside for 15 plus hours in below 40 degree temperatures for a free sandwich before they’ll drive to a business for a job opportunity.

Opportunity Knocks

Does anyone jump at opportunity? No matter what the opportunity is, do you take advantage? Maybe it’s your job that is bogging you down. It got stagnant or you’re just fed up with the current environment… well, there’s an opportunity out there, are you ready to take the leap? Or are you to scared of change? I promise you the change is what you need! Twelve years in law enforcement and I truly believed this was my retirement plan career. The job was great, I loved what I was doing and I had a sense of gratitude going out daily and being a part of my community. However, the job didn’t change the co-workers around me changed. But I’d have to say the worst part was the administration did nothing to ensure everyone was accountable for their actions, or should I say lack of actions. It was at this time I made a drastic decision to walk away from my career, my benefits and my retirement. Cold Turkey! I digressed! Back to opportunity. If there was an opportunity to leave my job for another, at that point in my life I would have taken it. Some opportunities only arise once in awhile. The question you should ask yourself, is are you ready to take the leap? Don’t let fear, or a few of the good co-workers sway your decision. Ask yourself, are you making yourself happy, or are you making your friends happy? Last time I checked, my decisions are not based on my friends, neighbors or co-workers happiness. You must take a deep dive into your own souls and see what it is that is best for you. Be ready, because that knock you hear just might be the opportunity you need to better you life. Until next time, happy reading!