A concerned reader recently

e-mailed me about a problem he was having concerning people showing up

for night shift work at a boat manufacturing facility.

"As you can probably tell

position at a world leading boat manufacturing facility. I have been raised

and believe in a good work ethics. I gained some new insight to some things

that had been on my mind as I read your article.

"I have been with this

company now 15 years. There are more newcomers at this facility than old-timers.

I 'll get to the point. Absenteeism is a major problem in a production

situation. When someone is out it kills you. I have spoken of incentives,

but all that is offered by the company is a few quarters on the hour for

night shift workers and perfect attendance checks which are taxed by the

government some $120 every six months.

"As you know night shift

work by percentages is mostly going to draw only, shall I say, the younger

work force. Not too many with a family are going to jump at this assignment.

"The quality of worker

we get to fill these positions tend to miss work a lot. I have heard everything

from this is a regional problem to no one wants to work any more. I don't

believe it's regional. I am from the same area. My thoughts are as follows;

I believe it's a society type of problem. Tell me if I am wrong here.

"Most of the younger work

force has seen Mom & Dad hustle off to work and the kids find themselves

left behind to sit or fend for themselves. We as parents have gotten a

little sidetracked by giving our kids everything, which has had a lot

to do with establishing poor work ethics. We have no one to blame but

our selves as a society.

"The long and the short

of it I guess is to offer rewards for good attendance practices. The old

school part of me doesn't like the fact that I have to do something extra

for what they are being paid for to start with to come to work."

* * *

Answer: Thanks for your comments.

I guess I have to agree with you to a certain degree. Society has changed

as well as the economy. As long as there are more jobs than people, the

less desirable jobs will go unfilled or, in your case, face constant absenteeism.

However, all is not lost there are some options to consider:

1. Provide a more significant

perfect attendance bonus. 2. Get the night shift to give input on what

they think could improve attendance. 3. Pay more to those who work the

night shift. 4. Eliminate the night shift. 5. Do a better job screening

applicants and find a demographic that is more reliable. 6. Provide college/continuing

education bonus to those who work night shift.

In summary, management has

to change its thinking to survive. Whether we like it or not, work ethics

are different today. What worked yesterday is what is going to cause us

to fail today. Standards and expectations of the past must be adjusted

to the present realities of worker-driven economy.

Gregory P. Smith shows businesses

how to build productive and profitable work environments that attract,

keep and motivate their work force. He speaks at conferences, conducts

management training and is the president of a management consulting firm

called Chart Your Course International in Conyers, Ga. Phone him at 770-860-9464

or send an e-mail at [email protected]. More information, free newsletters

and articles are available at www.ChartCourse.com.

Chart Your Course International

is a management development firm that shows businesses how to build productive

work environments that attract, keep and motivate their work force. Feel

free to call or visit its web site at https://www.ChartCourse.com.

Chart Your Course International

Gregory P. Smith-Captain of the Ship & CEO Phone: (770) 860-9464 E-mail:

[email protected] Location: Atlanta, Georgia-United States Free newsletter:

https:// Free by e-mail/fax: For tips or information on Smith's new book,

"TNT for Teams: Dynamic Ideas to Reward, Energize and Motivate Your

Team," fax your letterhead or e-mail with the words "TNT"

to 770-760-0581/[email protected] .

Gregory P. Smith, author of "The New Leader" and "How

to Attract, Keep and Motivate Your Workforce." He speaks at conferences,

leads seminars and helps organizations solve problems. He leads an organization

called Chart Your Course International in Conyers, Ga. Phone him at 770-860-9464

e-mail [email protected]. Information and articles are at www.chartcourse.com .

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