Teens need to learn some basics about life

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP is also describing the 20-somethings that work in my office. I was getting complaints about full v/m and calls going unreturned. These kids don't like making phone calls, and will avoid it like the plague. We had to educate them and help them understand the importance of actually talking to members.They do not ask about vacation all the time, but we did recently have to have a conversation about what 9-5 means, because they were rolling in at 9:20, and leaving by 4:45 every day.

Yes, this! I've learned with my own kids that I need to sit next to them during a call to the doctor's office and coach them through the call. Or we'll practice what they should say or ask ahead of time.

[Anonymous]

These are things parents should be teaching their kids. It isn’t the job of companies to teach how to make a phone call, be on time, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:These are things parents should be teaching their kids. It isn’t the job of companies to teach how to make a phone call, be on time, etc.

Actually, yes it is. It is the company’s job to teach their employees how to do the job the company expects of them.

Stop being lazy and train your new hires.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve been a professional for over 20 years and I have never once had to mail a letter for work.

Same.

Maybe because the lowly interns and secretaries are expected to do these tasks

Maybe because it’s 2026 and only antiquated old farts still send letters.

What? Pretty much every business large enough to have college interns sends and receive actual mail daily.

[Anonymous]

My kids started out with retail jobs while in high school. That required them to be on time for shifts.
They also grew up writing thank you notes on occasion so know how a letter gets put together.

Recently my college daughter wanted to wear my black boots for an event. I hadn't worn it in a long while and noticed white cracks in the leather. I brought out the black shoe polish and she was intrigued by the black wax. I realize I grew up with this, watching my father shine his shoes too but she never has seen this as it's not a thing people do at home anymore?
I guess in my parenting years, I neglected polishing my shoes too and that's why she's never seen that tin of shoe polish.

[Anonymous]

I mean - if someone asked you to type a letter on a typewriter or send a fax - and you didn’t know how or remember - would you think it’s fair to be told you were idiotic or useless? Because most teenagers have no need to do that just like you don’t need to send faxes anymore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve been a professional for over 20 years and I have never once had to mail a letter for work.

Same.

Maybe because the lowly interns and secretaries are expected to do these tasks

Maybe because it’s 2026 and only antiquated old farts still send letters.

What? Pretty much every business large enough to have college interns sends and receive actual mail daily.

LOL please cite your source(s) for this bold claim… we’ll wait.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:These are things parents should be teaching their kids. It isn’t the job of companies to teach how to make a phone call, be on time, etc.

Right… that’s OP’s entire point

[Anonymous]

I teach high school and challenge you to ask your kids what their zip code is. The amount of my students who do not know is astounding. Every year when they have to register for the PSAT they wig out when they input their address and get to zip code because all they know is their street. And I have had kids ask me to even look that up for them. They’re 10th graders!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:These are things parents should be teaching their kids. It isn’t the job of companies to teach how to make a phone call, be on time, etc.

Yes, and I can’t believe people are pushing back against it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I mean - if someone asked you to type a letter on a typewriter or send a fax - and you didn’t know how or remember - would you think it’s fair to be told you were idiotic or useless? Because most teenagers have no need to do that just like you don’t need to send faxes anymore.

If only there was a way to learn new skills! It’s not like they even have to go to the library to find a book on it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These are things parents should be teaching their kids. It isn’t the job of companies to teach how to make a phone call, be on time, etc.

Actually, yes it is. It is the company’s job to teach their employees how to do the job the company expects of them.

Stop being lazy and train your new hires.

The smart hires are resourceful and observe, take notes, or research these answers. Something like how to address an envelope is easy to find out with out exposing your lack of basic knowledge to the company.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These are things parents should be teaching their kids. It isn’t the job of companies to teach how to make a phone call, be on time, etc.

Actually, yes it is. It is the company’s job to teach their employees how to do the job the company expects of them.

Stop being lazy and train your new hires.

I should not have to train 20-somethings to arrive at the office on time, to answer their phone and talk to people who are calling them. How to access their v/m, sure. But then they need to take responsibility and do it. Not ignore the 39 voice mails because they think calling people on the phone is rude.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow. Lots of parents who don’t get it. Maybe that’s the issue?

I work with your teenagers, and I can say with full confidence that professionalism is an issue. Young people think everyone should accommodate them all the time. No.

These interns are there to work. It sounds like they’re actually creating more work for everyone else. You can’t do that in a workplace.

Bolded is part of training people, fool.

You don’t get it. I bet your kid is very ready for the workplace. A big asset, I’m sure.

My child is ready for *a* workplace. It’s *your* job to train him for *your* workplace.

Duh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These are things parents should be teaching their kids. It isn’t the job of companies to teach how to make a phone call, be on time, etc.

Actually, yes it is. It is the company’s job to teach their employees how to do the job the company expects of them.

Stop being lazy and train your new hires.

I should not have to train 20-somethings to arrive at the office on time, to answer their phone and talk to people who are calling them. How to access their v/m, sure. But then they need to take responsibility and do it. Not ignore the 39 voice mails because they think calling people on the phone is rude.

So stop outsourcing your hiring to AI and don’t hire the young folks that don’t meet your standards.

If these kids are so incompetent it reflects poorly on you - either through incompetent hiring or incompetent training. Sorry!