Lesson Taught But Was It Learned (a/k/a Know the Facts)

Marp · ‎03-09-2010

(emphasis added)

After complaining at work and hoping to enact change, a class of interns was met with a very unexpected outcome.

A blog post on askamanager.com says that a reader recently scored a summer position at a company within the field the individual hopes to work in post-graduation. “Even though the division I was hired to work in doesn’t deal with clients or customers, there still was a very strict dress code,” the person wrote, adding that they felt the clothing rules were “overly strict” but weren’t going to complain. That is, “until I noticed one of the workers always wore flat shoes that were made from a fabric other than leather, or running shoes, even though both of these things were contrary to the dress code.”

Angered by the hypocrisy, the reader rallied other interns, and the group wrote a proposal, along with a petition signed by the whole class (minus one who declined to participate). The request mostly focused on footwear, asking for non-dress shoes that would fit under a more business casual dress code, but also asked if it was possible for the workers to not have to wear suits and/or blazers in favor of a more casual but still professional dress code.

The next day, everyone who signed was called into a meeting, where the lot was informed that due to their “unprofessional behavior,” they were being let go. “We were told to hand in our ID badges and to gather our things and leave the property ASAP,” the post reads. The young adults were shocked and weren’t given a chance to defend their actions. But that’s not the worst part. “Just before the meeting ended, one of the managers told us that the worker who was allowed to disobey the dress code was a former soldier who lost her leg and was therefore given permission to wear whatever kind of shoes she could walk in. You can’t even tell, and if we had known about this we would have factored it into our argument.”

https://www.yahoo.com/style/interns-get-fired-en-masse-after-protesting-dress-201632030.html

What is good for the goose today will also be good for the gander tomorrow.

Mrsq2022 · ‎03-10-2010

Good for the individual that opted out! Wow. Clearly, none of those interns got the memo that an internship is an on-site interview....a trial period. And if you go to an interview trying to "enact change" you won't likely get a call back...

SaRina · ‎04-17-2015

Good for the company. They did the right thing.

Young adults entering the working world need to understand....you do not make demands or otherwise make waves when starting a new job. Unless you are being outrightly abused, you are a nobody and that means you keep your mouth shut and do your job with all its rules. That even goes for any experienced adult who is starting a new job.

I don't know what these young people are "missing". Respect for authority?

Lol at the second part of the last sentence in the OP: "..... if we had know about this, we would have factored it in to our argument." They obviously learned nothing.

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

Know the facts was one lesson - the other was that when you take a job they make the rules. Their business - their rules. If you don't like it - you are easily replaced.

violann · ‎03-10-2010

Lessons learned?

Interns are easily replaced.

Ask and listen, then act and speak.

Choose your battles.

Being 20 may SEEM much more powerful than actually BEING more powerful.

Don't protest your lack of rights uNTIL you know what rights you DO have.

Your first firing is not a tragedy, it is a golden opportunity for learning.

More. --------?

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

@violann wrote:
Lessons learned?

Interns are easily replaced.
Ask and listen, then act and speak.
Choose your battles.
Being 20 may SEEM much more powerful than actually BEING more powerful.
Don't protest your lack of rights uNTIL you know what rights you DO have.
Your first firing is not a tragedy, it is a golden opportunity for learning.

More. --------?

FIRST firing ?!?! I've never been fired from a job in my life.

GCR18 · ‎07-03-2013

I can see something like this happening at work. My company supplements the workforce with interns and co-ops. They range from 19 - 21. The generation has a different way of thinking and act entitled.

hoosieroriginal · ‎03-04-2012

@SaRina wrote:
Good for the company. They did the right thing.

Young adults entering the working world need to understand....you do not make demands or otherwise make waves when starting a new job. Unless you are being outrightly abused, you are a nobody and that means you keep your mouth shut and do your job with all its rules. That even goes for any experienced adult who is starting a new job.

I don't know what these young people are "missing". Respect for authority? What dumbfounds me is the second part of the last sentence in the OP:

"..... if we had know about this, we would have factored it in to our argument." They obviously learned nothing.

@SaRina - I totally agree with you - these young people think they run the place anymore, think they can sit on their I-phones all day, and think they can slack all day. I think businesses are realizing what older workers can bring to the workplace - for one thing, appreciating having a job!

Moonchilde · ‎05-23-2010

@hoosieroriginal wrote:
@SaRina wrote:
Good for the company. They did the right thing.

Young adults entering the working world need to understand....you do not make demands or otherwise make waves when starting a new job. Unless you are being outrightly abused, you are a nobody and that means you keep your mouth shut and do your job with all its rules. That even goes for any experienced adult who is starting a new job.

I don't know what these young people are "missing". Respect for authority? What dumbfounds me is the second part of the last sentence in the OP:

"..... if we had know about this, we would have factored it in to our argument." They obviously learned nothing.
@SaRina - I totally agree with you - these young people think they run the place anymore, think they can sit on their I-phones all day, and think they can slack all day. I think businesses are realizing what older workers can bring to the workplace - for one thing, appreciating having a job!

Only if by "older workers" you mean 30. No, businesses have no use for anyone over 50, nor do they care about work ethic or experience. The ONLY thing a business cares about today is how little salary/benefits they can get away with paying, and how willing an employee is to be worked into the ground. Fast food restaurants and Wal-Mart greeters may be the exception.

Life without Mexican food is no life at all

TeezNu · ‎03-10-2010

Company absolutely did the right thing by terminating quickly all who were involved.

Productivity and morale were negatively impacted by these interns' energy being angry, rallying other interns, and writing a proposal - all over a silly personal issue that had nothing to do with the product or service of the company.

Company's action also sends a clear message to other employees who may not have their priorities straight.

“There are two ways to be rich: One is by acquiring much, and the other is by desiring little.” —Jackie French Koller