Why do people not want to work?

[Tractor Seabee]

My wife's 20 yr old granddaughter and her boy friend (living together) just left here 2 weeks ago for TX to be close to her mother. They now both have decent paying jobs, neither job is cushy (hard work) but is a start in life and building a resume. No college either. They will do well I am sure as work ethic is there, just minimal skills for now. The jobs are out there going begging. I have never in my life seen the proliferation of Help Wanted signs like is out there today. Read today that Seattle unemployment is now well under 3%. Manual Work and Tech skill jobs are still going begging around here and no college required. Wages are moving upward fast to attract more help.

Ron

 

[Wagtail]

Here are a few factors that I've observed as to why people who are capable of working either won't or can't:

Qualifications. This can be as complex as an education level or experience required level to having a drivers licence.

Location. The majority of people live within 1 hour's travel of wherever they grew up. It's a matter of familiarity and personal support. This means that they will not travel/move to where the jobs are. Which leads to, or is synonymous with, actually moving to a new location to work or to look for work.

 

[Professor Marvel]

Welfare changed from a safety net that no one wanted to be on to an entitlement that can vote.

YES!!

 

[Professor Marvel]

There seem to be plenty of people who just don't get what work is, or how to learn. My mom closed her bookstore years ago because she ended up working 7 days a week. The applicants who were clean and presentable had no idea how to find things in alphabetical order, how to do simple addition (or subtraction) with a calculator, let alone in their head.
I'm not sure how these people live day to day and keep track of their own money, fill out simple forms and such. It scares me that they drive, vote and have kids they're responsible for.
What did any of them do in school ?

EXACTLY :thumbsup:

 

[drssg]

I have a SIL that is technically a parole officer, but her work is in finding jobs for convicted felons when they are released. With the current economy, she can find employers to take them, but many of them have mental issues, in addition to their criminal record.

She had one guy with severe anxiety issues. She found him a job at Dunkin Donuts, and she spent a bunch of time working right by his side to help prevent him from freaking out. He ended up committing suicide via gun to the head. He made it through his time in prison, but he couldn’t handle the real world pressures at Dunkin Donuts.

 

[k0ua]

but he couldn’t handle the real world pressures at Dunkin Donuts.

"time to make the Donuts".... aaargh... Yeah a job at Dunkin Donuts would be pretty rough...

 

[Agvg]

Well, prisons are full of people that should had help long before they ended up there. Probably been cheaper for society than cost of crime and prisontime.

 

[Locoweed]

There are a few comments about 3% unemployment in the thread. I am amazed that anyone believes that nonsense that the government publishes.

 

[the old grind]

Maybe we just don't give enough applause and shout 'good job' when new workers are doing their best, like showing up for work on time. These kids want more than just a paycheck, you know. Sure, some want to stretch the 'learn by watching' training cycle at least until they see how much they bring home every week. Give 'em time to get comfy.

'Cashiers' that can't make $11 change without a $10 bill in the drawer? Showing up for an interview with cel phone in hand? Am I a terrible boss if I fire $15/hr 'farm help' the first day the third time I see them thumbing their phone in <1 hour?

btw, isn't it folly to think of any statistic as a 'fact', esp those government-sourced? It's like the gas mileage that we're so sure of without actually noting miles or gals. IMO, Gov't figures only reflect a 'gerrymandered' set of details that maintains a precise degree of inconsistency and/or hypothetical relevance, pretty much as propaganda. "Looks good, print it."

 

[Doofy]

From day one, parents and then teachers tell the children how "Special" they are. Every one is a "Winner" and gets a trophy. BS! Easy to see those kids that are motivated and that will succeed. Also, easy to spot the future bum or criminal. The "Princess" syndrome helps no one.