So training a new person in the meat dept. Im the manager and only cutter in a small store but getting busier.. So Im showing this girl some things and she has down a couple items she can cut. I went to the management for a raise for her and they want to know what she can do. So on my day off I called to check on her, she said we are out of two items I trained her to cut. I said here is your chance.. show them what you can do.. She didnt cut them and didnt do some other things she was supposed to do. So after our meeting to discuss it she said she didnt do because she wasnt payed to cut meat! I was dumbfounded because to learn this trade I did some ****ty stuff and cut whatever at barley any money to learn.. What has happened to people.. Just wanted to know if anyone has experienced this..
So training a new person in the meat dept. Im the manager and only cutter in a small store but getting busier.. So Im showing this girl some things and she has down a couple items she can cut. I went to the management for a raise for her and they want to know what she can do. So on my day off I called to check on her, she said we are out of two items I trained her to cut. I said here is your chance.. show them what you can do.. She didnt cut them and didnt do some other things she was supposed to do. So after our meeting to discuss it she said she didnt do because she wasnt payed to cut meat! I was dumbfounded because to learn this trade I did some ****ty stuff and cut whatever at barley any money to learn.. What has happened to people.. Just wanted to know if anyone has experienced this..
I was eager to learn to cut meat. I was a clean up boy in 1978. Not just cleaning, but wrapping the freezer orders (quarters and sides of beef, ranch animals, wild game). After a couple days, I started helping customers (full service case). Sometimes they would let me work the trim (plates, necks, etc.). I would NEVER have said "you don't pay me for that". It wouldn't occur to me. One day the bosses nephew, who also worked there suggested we come in early (4 am before school) and we'd cut and wrap a half beef together. It would be for free of course, but there was no need to even say that. He didn't get paid either. He just loved to cut meat. I was about 16 and getting $2.65 an hour. Not a lot of money, but I lived with my parents and had no where to go but up.
The only way I could justify anyone having an opposite attitude is if money is the issue and they are paying you as a clerk and there's no possibility of promotion to cutter. If the company is taking advantage of you and everyone else. Why should they hire butchers when the clerks will cut for clerk pay? I mean permanently. I don't mind a clerk stepping up and showing what she/he can do. But if the company will permanently keep you as a clerk while paying a few journeymen more than you. Then yes, tell them "you don't pay me to cut meat" Maybe it's someone with less experience, but more seniority, then why the heck do it? Why cut meat in her/his absence if they won't pay you? Again, I mean if you know it's permanent.
BUT this isn't the situation we're talking about. This is a lady who is/was being given a chance. You recommended her for a promotion and she made you look bad. She let you down. What will the company think of the next person you recommend? (I mean can they believe anything you say now?) First, tell the lady how you feel. If she doesn't wake up, tell the company that you made a mistake in her case and they should start looking for someone to replace her.
-- Edited by Burgermeister on Friday 22nd of June 2012 08:20:58 AM
you will run across a lot of that kind, don't let it get to you, many today think just because they clocked in that they have done enough. Get rid of her now and try again till you find one that wants to give 110% with out crying
What is she paid to do then? Is she a kid? How long have you been training her? She doesn't sound inspired at all. I wouldn't waste my time training her any further.
Unless their is some contract signed or a company policy covering what she does, she get paid for doing what ever you tell her to do. maybe a meeting with her, you and your store manager and get it understood what she is suppose to do. with her attitude I would give her one more chance then bye bye
I use to emphasize with new, or younger employees, that, they are getting paid to train, and if learned, they can be a meatcutter and possess the skills of a meatcutter and again, getting paid to do it!!
I ran into this attitude a few times, and with someone very young, they are usually influenced by thier boyfriend or father with that attitude (they think meatcutters make 20.00 an hr, and if they are making 9-10.00 an hr they are being "used")
In each case I had a straight talk with the employee- always put the ball back in her/his hands- ( " I have skipped breaks and invested MY time to train you-the company didnt give me training hrs for a meatcutter- I WANT TO SEE YOU SUCCEED , BE MORE THAN A CLERK, with that attitude you will be stuck as a clerk, with clerk pay- take a day or two to think about this and then we will talk again, I need to know if IM the only one thinking you had potential"
Early on I had zero tolerance of this attitude, but the older I got, these kids are young, and being mis-directed usually at home- everyone makes mistakes- I'd give them another chance-show them the difference in attitude will be a difference in life
"she said she didnt do because she wasnt payed to cut meat!" ha ha, i started as a meat wrapper and did every job i was asked, i thought that if you act like a pro, then eventually you'll make pro wages
She is paid to do whatever you instruct her to do! (what is with these new people!)
with all new hires now I have a job description and responsibilities list that I show them upfront in the interview (lifting 50lbs or more, standing all day, working in the cold, dealing with customers etc) some of the people I interviewed didn't even know anything about the job! you would think people would do some research.
I guess you have to talk with her and spell it out that the conditions of employment are: if she wants to keep her job you provide all the training and coaching but she has to prove herself by doing the job to your standards. If you give her too many chances she (or anyone) will just take advantage of you, then you stuck doing their job and yours and being stressed out, not worth the wasted time!
and like Mainemeatman said, lots of positive encouragement
Thanks guys for the feedback.. Im so irratated with it and we are looking for someone else, I think some of the girls in the store put it in her head.. and she is about the same age as me.. Just sucks that people have this mentality and its tiring training and pouring into people to get this back... Oh well someone out there will need a job and I will have a written job description next time we hire for my dept. Its a new store and just coming together.. So gotta try things and plan accordingly. I appreciate you all letting me vent and I value your opinons all of them!
If it were me I would train someone else. I like to take younger people and train them my way. One thing you can try is telling them you are going to start them out at this lower wage, but if they stick around and prove to be reliable and dedicated to learning you will get them a 1 dollar raise in 6 months.
