A New Work Ethic

A New Work Ethic

Nora Field

BUS 309

April 24, 2012

Dr. C. W. Garrett

Case 4.4 “A New Work Ethic” describes the experience of James Sheehy, a human resources manager working undercover at a fast-food restaurant owned by a relative. The employees who worked for Sheehy’s relative were teenagers and college students working over school break. What Sheehy found with this generation of employees was the lack of any work ethics. Theft was a frequent occurrence along with poor customer service and no respect for management. The employees didn’t care about the job and were just there to collect a paycheck. The following are five discussion questions to be addressed as it related to Case 4.4.

1. Describe how typical the attitudes that Sheehy reports appear to be in work environments you have experienced. The attitudes with the employs in Sheehy’s report, in my opinion, are not typical with the younger generation. As soon as I could get a work permit I started working at age 15 taking jobs at fast food restaurants. I had a very good attitude toward customers and management and my co-workers did too. I will admit to giving food away and it was common for people to not ring up sales and then pocketing the cash. As I moved up to a career oriented job those type of behaviors were replaced a with pride in my job and I cared what people thought of my work.

2. Explain the implications of the work ethic Sheehy describes for the future of American business. The implications of unethical practices by employers have a domino effect where the result of one bad behavior equals and negative outcome. Burton & Goldsby, 2010, explains if employees are treated unfairly it will impact production. If suppliers are mistreated, they will charge higher prices or stop supply. If customers are treated badly, they will not patronize the business and may take legal action against the business. If investors and creditors are treated badly, they may sell or...