HARD WORKING DAUGHTER

My daughter is 19. She is pretty with a cute shape, very friendly, always has a smile and a VERY hard worker. That is the problem. She is a good worker and her boss and assistant manager take advantage of her. They give her tons of work to do while they go shopping, tanning, out to eat, visit with friends, talk on the phone, etc. I think the sad thing is that my daughter is paid by the hour and these ladies are paid salary and they either don't work or are never at work.

I told my daughter to report them to the corporate office but she didn't want to lose her job or make her working environment unbearable. So in the meantime she is just going to look for work elsewhere. I was still wondering if there was a solution to her problem as I don't think it is fair for these women to get away with it. My daughter would love to have their positions and I know she would [do] a great job at it, she is actually doing it now, just not getting the pay for it.

Any suggestions will be appreciated, if not, It just felt good blowing off some steam.

Thanks,
Robin

Robin,
This is common situation. I will respond at some length to serve your interests and concerns of other readers.

Several perspectives -----

NINETEEN YEAR OLD DAUGHTER / WORKER:

Work is not like school. Teachers give out grades, employers give out wages. Work is not like home. At home, parents protect. At work, environment exploits. At home you are high girl on the princess ladder. At work, you are low girl on the totem pole.

Conduct suggested:
Be aware of your environmental home/work change and the mindset adjustment that is necessary. Don't waste a lot of time complaining about other workers dumping on you. Learn any one job in your office and inform upper management that you are capable and ready for a move up. Looking for employment elsewhere is okay as long as you have a definable market skill. Taking another position as general office help may place you in a different company but not necessarily better circumstances. An office of lazy women is bad enough, an office of lazy male predators could be worse. Think before you leap.

Entry-level positions are "basic training." If you can't handle six months to a year of hard work, you are not going to climb the ladder quickly no matter where you are employed.


PARENTAL VIEW:
The workplace is exploiting my daughter. I want everyone to recognize her as I do.
"Pretty...cute shape," refer to personal qualities not market skills.
"Pretty...cute shape," can also mean improperly dressed and distracting.

Attractiveness can be a distinct advantage later on in her career. At this point it is best to focus upon marketability - talent, dependability, BUSINESS appropriate dress/demeanor, continuing education, professional attitude and ambition.

Conduct suggested:
Listen to her complaints but explain that hard work is how you prove yourself in the job market. Managers do not seek out complainers - they are a dime a dozen.

Reporting co-workers adds one more whiner to a field of many. A little back pressure to the offending co-worker keeps the problem in the immediate area. Politely point out the amount of work on your desk and put a time frame on when the next task will be serviced. Hard workers with stiff spines are the building blocks of strong businesses. Show strength not weakness.

CO-WORKERS:
Most workers feel over-worked and under-paid. If they can off some of their responsibilities on the next girl, they will. Those immediately supervising your daughter may be just the second rung of the ladder. There is a good chance that at least one of her co-workers is a lifetime "second runger." Learn her job and let management know you can fill it. This sends a clear message. You have a job skill and are looking for a better position -- here or elsewhere. A sharp manager will not let a good worker slip out of the company.

MANAGERS:
Diplomas and flashy resumes are common. Hard-working ambitious individuals are hard to find. When an ambitious person surfaces on the bottom rung, companies usually notice. Aggressiveness is a trait of the ambitious. Do not hesitate to indicate your want for a better position - as long as you can fill the position.

Your daughter is not a child anymore. She is a working adult in the real world of the market place. Hard work is part of the learning/transition process. As long as there are no predators or improper conduct in the work place, don't whine -- develop spine. Good business skills will provide exit routes or advancement within the company. Ability to work with employees and their peccadilloes is a market skill in itself.



UNCLE VIEW:
The test of your position in the market place is simple. If there are other, higher paying, employment opportunities available - go there. If not, you are at the proper level.
Improve your job skills, professionalism and overall marketability. Basic math, computer skills and communicative ability are important. Most of our young people can not complete a sentence without saying "like" a half dozen times. Body piercing and tattoos are negatives.

Early arrival, appropriate business attire, math / communication / computer skills, appropriate language, dependability and professional demeanor will launch your career. Whining will not.

I am here if you need me,
Everybody's Uncle