Do young adults in the UK not want to work?

trojanbb

progressivism. progressing backwards one generation at a time

CollieFit

this is not a pissing contest.

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

:drinker:

twinketta

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Actually, since I turned 16 I have only been 'unemployed' for three months on maternity.
I have never received benefits.
I am currently working.
I have unertaken lots of training to ensure I have widened my employment possibilities - call centre work, bar training, lifeguarding courses etc.
I have applied for over 60 jobs since graduation in June and had 2 interviews.


It's not always as clear cut as "young people can't be bothered".

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


No its not always clear cut but unfortunately a good number do not want to work, a good number also breed for housing and benefits. I commend you for your efforts and can see your problem at feeling all youngsters are getting tarred with the same brush but facts are facts and whatever the reason a lot of people do choose to believe the world owes them a living not just the young.

"A lot of people do choose to believe the world owes them a living not just the young".

That is my point.

This man has came on and stated that because a handful of people done x, y or z that it means "young adults don't want to work".
No, it isn't just young adults - it is all people, from all walks of life, of all ages.
To make such a sweeping statement is rude.

And yes, those people probably should have had the common sense to call if they weren't showing or were late, but they didn't - that doesn't mean they don't 'want' to work, that means they lack common sense.

Also, the OP never stated what the job was only it was something paying just above national wage. Depending on the line of work, the hours offered, and the position of those attending for interview, they may not felt it necessary to wear suits/dressy trousers, to phone if not attending etc (I am talking about casual shop work or something similar).


You cannot make such sweeping statements like that based on such bias. I wouldn't want to work for an employer like that.

If you consistently make excuses then you do not have good work ethic. In an interview you will most likely be asked a question such as ` what would you do?`

The interviewer is going to look for a direct answer not an excuse.

The position I am offering is 40 hours a week. So full time. I am a `SHE` not a `HE` and I would expect the employee to work and make an effort to dress accordingly for an interview. If they can not make the time appointed then I would ask that they let me know. Not waste my time or some other candidates time.

It really is not hard, IMO

So did you ask them directly why they were late, or thought it appropriate to dress a certain way?
If not, then they may not have felt like it was something that should be mentioned.

There are two sides to every story, and IMO if an interviewer does not ask all the questions that are necessary and later ***** about it, then they do not have a good work ethic either.

Please explain to me, why, as a person, that is offering a job and a salary and ongoing training?

Why should I feel the need to offer explanations as to appropriate dress sense, interview behaviour?

MeanderingMammal

5 people never bothered to turn up for the interviews...3 were late... 1 had the mother phone up to make an excuse.. a few people turned up wearing jeans....2 people actually told me they had to come for the interviews or they would lose their entitlement to social security benefits...

It's not specific to age range, I've been recruiting for roles over the last year and had a fair number of no shows or "only here for interview, not the job" applicants, into their 30s and 40s.

As far as benefit is concerned, with any system there are plenty opportunities to game it, so regardless of the system, some people will abuse it. Benefit claimants are required to apply for a specific number of jobs per week, and if offered an interview are required to undertake that. If they don't then they lose access. As any system has vulnerabilities then it seems fair enough, although there is a burden on employers to interview people who have no interest in taking the role.

If you're only paying marginally above minimum wage then I'd question whether the job is actually attractive enough to be worth taking. I think the threshold is about 25 hours on minimum wage where it actually means being employed is any better, and that's before accounting for the opportunity cost. It may be that you're not selling the job if you're not attracting applicants.

Amanojaku

I think many unemployed persons want to find a job that they "like" and that is "fun". They are kind of missing the point that this isn't the primary purpose of working.
My sister is 45 and had this attitude. She's still looking. I get very cross about it you have such a circular argument with people with this sense of entitlement.

I would take it from the OP comments, if people didn't bother to show up, they also didn't bother to have the manners to contact her to reschedule. If they had a decent excuse they would have done that. So not bothering is, well , not bothering. There are not many things (well maybe a death in the family) that are good enough excuses to not go to a job interview.

So your opinion is that people just need to do something they hate for majority of there time, just to struggle to have a place to sleep, and eat so they can wake up the next day and do the same thing they hate? Meanwhile the persons they work for have risen above that struggle by having others do the hated work for them?

twinketta

Ive been working since i was 15, my parents cut me off :grumble: lol i still lived at home but if i wanted anything other than the bare minimum i had to work for. Needless to say i have now been in banking 6 yrs and working in general for 9 yrs.

Excellent reply from you, no excuses ..well done x

CollieFit

So did you ask them directly why they were late, or thought it appropriate to dress a certain way?
If not, then they may not have felt like it was something that should be mentioned.

So punctuality and appropriate dress can no longer be taken for granted and now requires detailed prior instruction... perhaps with a little diagram and pictorials?

I rest my case.

joyfuljoy65

two of my sons have graduated this year and cannot get a job even though they worked all through their uni course - there are 50+ graduates going for each job.... they are now doing part time work where they can. Don't tar all young people with the same brush.

CollieFit

I think many unemployed persons want to find a job that they "like" and that is "fun". They are kind of missing the point that this isn't the primary purpose of working.
My sister is 45 and had this attitude. She's still looking. I get very cross about it you have such a circular argument with people with this sense of entitlement.

I would take it from the OP comments, if people didn't bother to show up, they also didn't bother to have the manners to contact her to reschedule. If they had a decent excuse they would have done that. So not bothering is, well , not bothering. There are not many things (well maybe a death in the family) that are good enough excuses to not go to a job interview.

So your opinion is that people just need to do something they hate for majority of there time, just to struggle to have a place to sleep, and eat so they can wake up the next day and do the same thing they hate? Meanwhile the persons they work for have risen above that struggle by having others do the hated work for them?

Yes. It's called working your way up.

MeanderingMammal

If a young person wants a job and to get off a life of benefits there are advisers at job centres where they go to look for jobs. They can go on courses to help with CV`s and form filling. They can get help with practice interviews.

I think it's fair to say that the advice and development available from JC+ is pretty poor

twinketta

I think many unemployed persons want to find a job that they "like" and that is "fun". They are kind of missing the point that this isn't the primary purpose of working.
My sister is 45 and had this attitude. She's still looking. I get very cross about it you have such a circular argument with people with this sense of entitlement.

I would take it from the OP comments, if people didn't bother to show up, they also didn't bother to have the manners to contact her to reschedule. If they had a decent excuse they would have done that. So not bothering is, well , not bothering. There are not many things (well maybe a death in the family) that are good enough excuses to not go to a job interview.

So your opinion is that people just need to do something they hate for majority of there time, just to struggle to have a place to sleep, and eat so they can wake up the next day and do the same thing they hate? Meanwhile the persons they work for have risen above that struggle by having others do the hated work for them?

When me n my first hubby split I was left with 2 children...I took in ironing, I worked in a bar, and I cleaned houses..rather than take benefits....Did I really want to be ironing other peoples clothes until some unearthly hour...hell no...I hated it.

But I did it and I understand how people struggle in life....maybe I expect people put in what they take out?

Leah_Brooke

I live in the US & have been working my *kitten* off since i was 16 years old! I guess it depends on the person...

zeebruhgirl

****, I have one job and I'm always looking for a second.

ayalowich

Couldn't have said it better. It isn't just a UK problem. It is this was with a large portion of entitled young people that have been told how special they are growing up and have learned if they whine and ***** enough their parents and family will give them what they want.

This is a broad generalization of course. I am sure there are a pool of 25% or more of young people who have an old school work ethic. You just have to work harder to find them.

I hate the 'in my day' stuff. And I happen to work in a professional services firm where the preponderance of our people work very hard and are self motivated. But we hired 18,000 people a year out of about 175,000 applicants. That tells you how tough it is.

janatarnhem

Well..can't generalise, but my 19 year old son is doing a full time college course, specialising in coaching sports and works 19 hours a week at Asda. He loves both college and his job!

traceyjj

I have 19 year old twin sons, one who has just lost his job, and he's running around like crazy trying to get a job somewhere (he's training to be a mechanic), and his brother has never had a job, but he's trying so damn hard. He keeps applying for jobs but rarely hears anything about his application. He would desperately love a job, but cant get on the job ladder. I took him to the job centre a few weeks ago for some reason, and there are so many people of all ages not really wanting to work, happy to just collect their free money... but not all of them... we cant tar everyone with the same brush.

lucan07

So your opinion is that people just need to do something they hate for majority of there time, just to struggle to have a place to sleep, and eat so they can wake up the next day and do the same thing they hate? Meanwhile the persons they work for have risen above that struggle by having others do the hated work for them?

Most people would love to have a job they like or loved doing, but plain fact is if I interviewed someone sitting on their backside waiting for the perfect job and someone who took any job till they found the right job for them there is only one that I would employ.
And they would not be on benefits waiting because the world owes them a living and a decent job!

fionarama

I think many unemployed persons want to find a job that they "like" and that is "fun". They are kind of missing the point that this isn't the primary purpose of working.
My sister is 45 and had this attitude. She's still looking. I get very cross about it you have such a circular argument with people with this sense of entitlement.

I would take it from the OP comments, if people didn't bother to show up, they also didn't bother to have the manners to contact her to reschedule. If they had a decent excuse they would have done that. So not bothering is, well , not bothering. There are not many things (well maybe a death in the family) that are good enough excuses to not go to a job interview.

So your opinion is that people just need to do something they hate for majority of there time, just to struggle to have a place to sleep, and eat so they can wake up the next day and do the same thing they hate? Meanwhile the persons they work for have risen above that struggle by having others do the hated work for them?

OMG!!!! AB-S0-BLOODY-LUTELY!!!!! Benefits aren't an alternative lifestyle, a kind of retainer until you figure yourself out and find something you like.
You work to live (i.e. feed and house yourself) first. The other bits, are up to YOU and you certainly won't get those benefits or progress if you don't get out and do something.

Asides from anything else, a LOT of whether you enjoy a job is up to YOU in terms of your attitude, getting along with people, etc

twinketta

two of my sons have graduated this year and cannot get a job even though they worked all through their uni course - there are 50+ graduates going for each job.... they are now doing part time work where they can. Don't tar all young people with the same brush.

I am certainly not tarring all people with the same brush...I think it so much harder when graduates have to find work x

ninerbuff

I am very fortunate in that I have a business that is relatively successful in the UK

This last few weeks I have been holding interviews to fill a position..the wage is only slightly above minimum wage, but, it is a little above.

I am looking to train this person up into a better skill.

I have not been looking for a rocket scientist or brain surgeon, just someone that would seem to have reliability and some work ethic.

5 people never bothered to turn up for the interviews...3 were late... 1 had the mother phone up to make an excuse.. a few people turned up wearing jeans....2 people actually told me they had to come for the interviews or they would lose their entitlement to social security benefits...

I was hoping to try to help someone from benefits into the workplace. Is it that young adults do not want to work?

Different era in the jobs market now. Seems like young people just want jobs where they can just sit and play on their phones and still get paid.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition