Business
Running head: A NEW WORK ETHIC 1
A New Work Ethic?
Strayer University
Business Ethics – BUS 309
October 25, 2010
A NEW WORK ETHIC 2
1. Describe how typical the attitudes that Sheehy reports appear to be in work environments you have experienced.
With the new generation of workers, in particular recent college graduates the attitudes of the Sheehy reports are neither unusual nor unprecedented. This generation unlike those of the past, are not exposed nor in some instances, taught the meaning of hard work, dedication, sacrifice and how success can evolve from those types of attitudes. Unfortunately through influences of the media such as television, and in some instances glorified unethical business practices of corporate CEO’s, this new generation of workers with a new work ethic, succumb to believe that hard work does not matter and that treating co-workers and external customers indifferently will get you what you want no matter what the consequences may be.
As I have worked and currently work in a prominent, nationally recognized entity, and have hired both college and non-college graduates, there seems to be an attitude of entitlement with the new work ethic and workforce. There are expectations of promotions, and high salaries without proven ability of performance. There is a lack of understanding and true reality of where they fit within the organization and how they meet the performance standards. These attitudes are far different in contrast from my most senior staff that are senior in age demographic, job tenure and position.
Often times, this new workforce believes that since they have obtained their college degrees, and have met the educational requirements of the job, regardless of experience or lack thereof in most cases, they are entitled to the “corner office/assistant”, high salary and a work schedule not to exceed a nine to five workday. What is largely misunderstood, is
A New Work Ethic?
Strayer University
Business Ethics – BUS 309
October 25, 2010
A NEW WORK ETHIC 2
1. Describe how typical the attitudes that Sheehy reports appear to be in work environments you have experienced.
With the new generation of workers, in particular recent college graduates the attitudes of the Sheehy reports are neither unusual nor unprecedented. This generation unlike those of the past, are not exposed nor in some instances, taught the meaning of hard work, dedication, sacrifice and how success can evolve from those types of attitudes. Unfortunately through influences of the media such as television, and in some instances glorified unethical business practices of corporate CEO’s, this new generation of workers with a new work ethic, succumb to believe that hard work does not matter and that treating co-workers and external customers indifferently will get you what you want no matter what the consequences may be.
As I have worked and currently work in a prominent, nationally recognized entity, and have hired both college and non-college graduates, there seems to be an attitude of entitlement with the new work ethic and workforce. There are expectations of promotions, and high salaries without proven ability of performance. There is a lack of understanding and true reality of where they fit within the organization and how they meet the performance standards. These attitudes are far different in contrast from my most senior staff that are senior in age demographic, job tenure and position.
Often times, this new workforce believes that since they have obtained their college degrees, and have met the educational requirements of the job, regardless of experience or lack thereof in most cases, they are entitled to the “corner office/assistant”, high salary and a work schedule not to exceed a nine to five workday. What is largely misunderstood, is
References: Wikipedia: The free encyclopedia. (2010, October 25). FL: Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. Retrieved October 25, 2010, from http://www.wikipedia.org Shaw, W (2010). Business Ethics, A Textbook With Cases, Chapter 4, Part Two The Nature of Capitalism (pp. 143) (Custom ed. taken from Business Ethics, Seventh Edition) Mason, Ohio: Cengage Learning Shaw, W (2010). Business Ethics, A Textbook With Cases, Chapter 4, Part Two The Nature of Capitalism, Exploitation and Alienation (pp. 148) (Custom ed. taken from Business Ethics, Seventh Edition) Mason, Ohio: Cengage Learning