Would you work for 4 hours for $160.00?

Question

I was installing a Acoustic Ceiling today and offered some work to a couple of college kids. All they had to do was hand me the materials and I would install everything. Four hours of easy work for $160.00.

Although they did tell me they needed the work they thought it was to much for them to handle. This was money under the table. I then waited for my Sons to get off school to help me. Age 11 and 12.

I paid them the same amount.

What is wrong with our youth of today when they say they need work however are not willing to do so?

Answer 1

Hello H.A,

There is definitely something called a work ethic.  It does not seem to be something that is learned in a classroom.  But how far would you be willing to go to encourage the development of a work ethic?  

There is some suggestion that people who start working when they are younger have a greater work ethic, but I know people who started working in their teens who are now in their 20's and always looking for a day off.  

Others seem to suggest that times have changed.  An ethic of hard work would seem to require some sense that this kind of concentration would pay off.  Your offer might seem a generous one for some, but others might be too numb to know a good offer.   Someone who is kicked long enough might have a hard time responding to a smile even if by another person.

Some might argue that the slow degradation of our society does not have an affect on individual decisions.  I think that it might.  In 1970 the minimum wage was $1.45 and someone might be able to purchase a gallon of gasoline for $.25.  Inflation is sometimes thought of as something that can't be controlled.  Some people lose from inflation but others gain.  Anyplace that collects one dollar from you today and has only to pay you back a dollar depreciated by inflation gains.  People on a fixed income lose.  Anyone who is on a salary or a contract has at least that part of their income fixed and are the losers.  They are the people who are supposed to have the work ethic.  They are the workers.  

Some managers and owners typically have incomes pined to costs.  The cost plus contract is a typical government contract.  Making a percentage off of each worker plus costs is a owners calculation.  

If I use the price of only $4.00 a gallon gasoline has risen 16 times while at $7.251 the minimum wage has only gone up 5 times in the last 38 years alone.   Most people who are working for a living have told me that their standard of living has gone down over the last 38 years and not up.  Yes, they are making more, but their costs are much higher.   (The Federal Reserve, a private corporation, primarily controlled  by JPMorgan Chase calculates "core inflation" by eliminating the costs of energy and food.)

And what about the separation between the wealthy and the workers.  From 1929 to about 1970 the difference between the classes was going down.  But from 1970 to the present the gap has been widening.(x)

Imagine you are in a classroom and everyone seems to have the answers but you.  Instead of studying you might at least spend your time wondering why some seem to have all the answers and as a percentage of the class you can never get ahead.  

Many people I have heard working in corporate America have told me the same stories of most of the people in their organizations seemingly more anxious to get the next promotion than do the job at hand.  Often we are political creatures.  This would be fine if the methods to get ahead complimented instead of detracted from the work to be done.  

So, the "problem" might not just be "young people" and there may be an environmental factor.  But by noticing the problem you are suggesting that you don't have such a problem.  The environment is not effecting you in the same way.  There may be multiple causes.  If the roof has shingles missing the cause may not be so important as the repair.  

What can be done?  Perhaps, if each of us could sincerely express an interest in what we do it might be of some help.  I recall a class in college that I was required to take.  Instead of trying to wait it out, I occupied my time trying to find things about the course that were interesting to me.  In this way, I made it more interesting.  

Sure you had a bad experience trying to involve a few workers, but instead of decrying the low work ethic around you, perhaps you'll remember a time when you might have shown more interest.  Change is hard but it might be more satisfying to make an effective change in ourselves than in others.  At least we might have more right to try.    

Answer 2

Absolutely!

I honestly don't know what's wrong with youth today.  I'm in my late 20's, and I can't believe the lack of motivation in people in my own age group and younger.

Earlier this week, the new 'kid' they hired in our office in an entry level position, stopped by my desk on his way out to say good night.  It was 4:59pm.  He commented that he "has no respect for people that stay to work late".  I very shrewdly replied "I have no respect for clockwatchers".  He tried to continue arguing with me by saying that he was only paid to work 9-5.  Excuse me, but when did being a salaried employee mean that you don't stay late once in a while to help out when there is work to be done?  Our office pays a lot more than most for entry-level positions, so one would think that would be a motivating factor to work harder.

I don't understand it.  It's just a shame that all of the people in my age group are looked upon this way, because of the attitudes of others.  Fortunately some of us are still go-getters!

I grew up on a farm where work = food on the table.  Period.

Answer 3

I think the problem is much deeper than money in exchange for work . even you called these adults  "kids " . well they aren't they are adults who get treated like kids  . We all could sit here and make a list a mile long like this but it is a social /cultural problem . ever wonder why  you can go down to the corner deli and hire one of the guys there without hesitation  ?  

Answer 4

marketing and the economy and how the differences between how we were raised and how they were raised...and its a long story from there!

that's 40 dollars and hour for god sake

Answer 5

Heck yes..I would work for 160 for 4 hours I would do it for 100.Sure would like someone to make me a offer like that..

Answer 6

"Honest Abe", paying under the table?  Hmmmmm.

I would have been most happy to take this job.  Super easy, very good pay.  Those students were missing out, and I wonder if they got some wrong impression about the nature of the work.  I think most students would die for this sort of work.

Answer 7

I would say they did not "need" the work. They wanted the money. Maybe they liked the idea of work. But they didn't want to work.

When younger I took all sorts of jobs like that on top of my "day" job.

I think, fueled by credit, there is far too much money out there (in relation to the work that produces it). That is not sustainable.

I also think a new day is dawning, a reality. And it starts from the Federal Budget down.