Opinions on ***Special Employees***

[Classyathome]

First off - right away - this is not a slag against mentally or physically handicapped people. I am not referring to those as special.

I mean the bottom feeders, open mouthed breathing, just complete losers that seem to find gainfull employment in coffee shops, big box stores and covenience marts that you know wouldn't last 5 minutes out there with the big fish.

There is a big chain coffee shop near where I work, and a huge percentage of their workers all seem to be not quite medicated enough to really be working there. Lost of shuffling, blank stares, and complete lack of any sense of "service industry" direction or caring about customer service. I refuse to go there anymore due to the poor service. 10-15 minutes to get a coffee (done wrong), and a floor show of morons bumping into each other, giving customers wrong change and repeated mutterings to invisible coworkers.

Some of the folks I work with said that the owner hires "special" people, and that I should be more understanding.

I say, their prices don't reflect special service, there isn't a sign on the door telling me how they are making peoples lives better, why pay for bad workers and a lazy owner that won't hire decent folk???

I know it's tough to find good help, but c'mon

 

[Guest]

vote with your dollars.

 

[HuffAndPuff]

I agree with both of you 100% It's one thing if you've decided to engage in some 'corporate social responsibility' and have hired people who are legitimately handicapped. But some of these employees that are supposedly normal? WTF?! If I was running the business they'd be out on their asses!

Shenanigans- I definitely do, but I've also had to lower my standards/expectations. Otherwise, I wouldn't have anyplace left to shop. Anyways, you don't have a choice with the worst offenders, because those are always the state-run bureaucracies, and you're forced to deal with them. I WISH there was an alternative to the DMV, etc!

Bottom line? Most people hate their jobs, and don't feel like they're getting paid enough to make them want to do it properly. Whatever happened to integrity?

HuffandPuff

ps- You feeling better yet, Classy?

 

[JJScorpio]

What do you want to do, put them to sleep?

Ever heard of the word compassion. I think it's great when people give someone like that a chance. It gives them a feeling of self worth. Isn't that worth the extra five miutes it might take for your order? Maybe you need to take a closer look at some of the "normal people they have doing those jobs. From what I've seen it isn't so good....

 

[trouble]

First off - right away - this is not a slag against mentally or physically handicapped people. I am not referring to those as special.

I mean the bottom feeders, open mouthed breathing, just complete losers that seem to find gainfull employment in coffee shops, big box stores and covenience marts that you know wouldn't last 5 minutes out there with the big fish.

There is a big chain coffee shop near where I work, and a huge percentage of their workers all seem to be not quite medicated enough to really be working there. Lost of shuffling, blank stares, and complete lack of any sense of "service industry" direction or caring about customer service. I refuse to go there anymore due to the poor service. 10-15 minutes to get a coffee (done wrong), and a floor show of morons bumping into each other, giving customers wrong change and repeated mutterings to invisible coworkers.

Some of the folks I work with said that the owner hires "special" people, and that I should be more understanding.

I say, their prices don't reflect special service, there isn't a sign on the door telling me how they are making peoples lives better, why pay for bad workers and a lazy owner that won't hire decent folk???

I know it's tough to find good help, but c'mon

First: If thier working in a coffee shop I seriously doubt that thier trying or capable of competing with the real big fish, as you call them. That may be why thier working in a coffee shop for minimum wage.

Second: Heavily medicated people with blank stares, shuffling around bumping into each other, and talking to people that are not there sounds like a pretty cool and fun place to get a cup coffee and people watch.

I'll have a large Cuban Coffee with extra cream & sugar please!







..........................................................................

 

[Smoke68]

I think I know the type you speak of... You mean the kind of blond that you continue to tell that if they try hard enough, they can touch their elbows together.
I think if the people where legitimately handicapped, that I would understand taking 5 minutes for an order. I have NO problem with the mentally challenged once-so-ever. I have volunteered quite a few hours in the halls of 2 local facilities with my x (she was beautiful, and they liked me because I always brought her{she was the best story teller})
On the other hand, if this is for the mainstream America. The people who you wonder how they are able to continue to breath on their own. I think these incompetents should NOT be hired. But this isn't JUST the employees fault for being a moron. At the same time, the employer KNOWs who they hire. A sheep in wolve's clothing, can't bullshit their way into into the pack. That said, when the manager was interviewing the dimwit, didn't they sense the blank stares?

 

[NOKUY]

hey give them a chance.

Im not a fan of incompetent employees, but i think special needs peeps deserve a break (wow i have some sympathy in my blood).

there is an obvious special needs bagger at one of the grocery stores i frequent, and he tries really really hard....doesnt always do the right things or best job but he tries harder than most people and means well.

also in an area i used to live there is a special needs kid who walked to work at a fast food place that i never went to...id see him walking from 5 miles away....this was more than 10 years ago.........the other day i was in the neighborhood, and saw him still walking to work to the same job (same uniform).

give 'em a break

 

[NOKUY]

what if it was YOU.....or your kid?

 

[Dr Dog]

This is complete bullshit

So if someone has a learning disability they cannot be able to serve you?
I volunteer my time and services to many an organization for mentally disabled people, and I have to tell you, these people are quite capable of doing most jobs that they are not given credit for


And you say this is not a slag, it is exactly what it is. I for one would gladly frequent such an establishment.
I commend the owner(s) of such an establishment, for giving people a chance.

 

[Pops]

Years ago I used to manage restaurants and worked with a local organization to give jobs and job training to young people with Down's Syndrome. There are many different levels of retardation in Downs and some of the kids worked out and some didn't. Almost every one of them tried very hard.

These days, I go into restaurants and see the level of employee incompetence and it confirmed my decision to get out of management years ago. There are far too many people working now to just get a check, and they have no sense of pride in their work and have very little work ethic. I am not talking mentally or physically handicapped people here, but "normal" people.Even 20 years ago, I was having trouble getting employees who "gave a damn" and usually had to hire older housewives and old men,in order to get the kind of quality that I demanded. I found it easier to work with "retarded kids" who I had to teach over and over than "normal kids" who wouldn't listen at all and didn't care. It has only gotten worse in the past 20 years, and the quality of management has gone down as well. That is why I started my own business, as I never wanted employees again. Unfortunately, I built some of the businesses up to the point that I had to hire employees to handle the excess work.

 

[NOKUY]

Years ago I used to manage restaurants and worked with a local organization to give jobs and job training to young people with Down's Syndrome. There are many different levels of retardation in Downs and some of the kids worked out and some didn't. Almost every one of them tried very hard.

These days, I go into restaurants and see the level of employee incompetence and it confirmed my decision to get out of management years ago. There are far too many people working now to just get a check, and they have no sense of pride in their work and have very little work ethic. I am not talking mentally or physically handicapped people here, but "normal" people.Even 20 years ago, I was having trouble getting employees who "gave a damn" and usually had to hire older housewives and old men,in order to get the kind of quality that I demanded. I found it easier to work with "retarded kids" who I had to teach over and over than "normal kids" who wouldn't listen at all and didn't care. It has only gotten worse in the past 20 years, and the quality of management has gone down as well. That is why I started my own business, as I never wanted employees again. Unfortunately, I built some of the businesses up to the point that I had to hire employees to handle the excess work.

pops your a trip bro!

.and all so true.

 

[Stoner4Life]

everyone deserves the opportunity to work and partake in the rewards and knowledge associated with self worth and appreciation. it's only a cup of coffee, as long as I don't get one light 'n sweet I'm good to go, how hard would it be to say, "great job, it's perfect." Perhaps the boost in confidence with some encouraging words might actually nudge them in the right direction, or maybe not. But there's no arguing that you're the superior being in these situations, be the better man and do the right thing. through no fault of their own they'll walk this earth at great disadvantage.

I have way less patience for folks with no common sense (as seen by my replies in the threads right here) than those 'special' people who have less sensibility over all.......
with the exception of specialk who has none of my respect or considerations at all.

 

[Classyathome]

Wow - I guess putting the disclaimer about not ranting about physically or mentally handicapped just went over some folks heads. Read that part again, please...

These are "normal" people, just incompetent and ill mannered. The "barely medicated" I referred to is their quasi zombotic lack of mirth, enjoyment, interplay or any signs of intelligent life at all...

Some people just lash out in these threads - they can get bent.

Rephrase - are you willing to pay same or more for bad service if it's convenient location???

 

[Pops]

Classy, my comments are also directed at those folks who demand a check, but do nothing to earn it. Those people always had a much higher regard for their talents than I did. Perhaps,I was just a hard-ass, but I expected people to EARN their paycheck. After 7 years of that crap in both restaurants and grocery stores, I started one man businesses where I only had to worry about myself. That way, even though the boss might be an asshole, the employee was perfect.

 

[RED145]

I dont particularly care for them handling my food but they can bag my groceries!!Special people that is

 

[Smoke68]

Ouch Red.... YOU HAVE NO SOUL!
I can understand that the Rain Man would not be a good butcher, but as it was pointed out, they can usually do simpler tasks with great accuracy (serving coffee). And unlike a punk-asp<(type of snake not swear word) teen most of them won't roll their eyes at you when you say "Thank you."
Back to the point of the thread, you know why these kids exist... MOMMIES AND DADDIES CANT SPANK THEIR KIDS ANYMORE! While I am and always have been a VERY respectful person to my elders, I see so many of my old friends going down paths I can't tolerate because I won't stand for such actions, the laziness or the complete lack of respect. I wish my parents would have disciplined me more... I got swatted with a belt a few times, but just a few. Enough to know it hurts, I don't like it and it would happen if I didn't follow the rules. When I have kids, and we are shopping and I tell them "Don't touch the candy.", and they still do, they will get laid over the knee in a heartbeat (It has been proven that embarrassment is 1st most effective way of implementing behavior). The world is so PC today, that I would probably go to jail for this... which brings me to the next point... We are making America SOFT! And we are doing it to ourselves.
My nation was headed by men, who by no coincidence, where among the most rugged and the hardest working. It is this that got them where they did. This country has been handed to us on a silver platter and instead of procrastinating it as we have been, just getting by, picking at the remnants, we need to get to it and clean the dishes so we can get ready for the next course.
Kids nowadays have NO WORK ETHIC. I work with kids, all around my age, and while I sweep and clean, they sit around... This is all of the time... "Leaners" I call them, always leaning on something... They give my generation a bad name.
If this is any consolation to your question, there are a couple Taco Bell's here, and I will pass one that has shitty food, service and girls, that in the words of Ron White "Make ya' go bhhhhh." The other Taco Bell has wonderful service, bigger portions and beautiful girls who always love to talk to me. So yes I will and do drive further for the service because while it is nice to get a crappy taco at a great price... when you can get that same taco, only bigger, and from a beautiful girl, my trip justifies itself...

 

[Stoner4Life]

There is a big chain coffee shop near where I work, and a huge percentage of their workers all seem to be not quite medicated enough to really be working there. Lost of shuffling, blank stares, and complete lack of any sense of "service industry" direction or caring about customer service. I refuse to go there anymore due to the poor service. 10-15 minutes to get a coffee (done wrong), and a floor show of morons bumping into each other, giving customers wrong change and repeated mutterings to invisible coworkers.

Some of the folks I work with said that the owner hires "special" people, and that I should be more understanding.

I say, their prices don't reflect special service, there isn't a sign on the door telling me how they are making peoples lives better, why pay for bad workers and a lazy owner that won't hire decent folk???

I know it's tough to find good help, but c'mon

I guess my reading and taking in this last part got me to thinking actual 'special needs' peeps as part of the point.

I get it now, I'm never shy to tell the owner if I think the counter person POS (point of sale) isn't sharp enough to do a good job at any one of threee regular coffee stops I have throughout the week. A good counter person can ask a family the right questions to perhaps affect another $5-10 per sale. The wrong person behind the counter makes you wanna get out of there with as little damage done to your diet and intelligence as possible.

I agree with you Classy, the uninspired ought not be counter worthy, keep them in the back doing dishes and other mindless chores, they can then earn their way up the ranks if they wish. That's how I was broken in at my uncles restaurant, it was my first day of work, I was 13 or 14 and Hank told me "I'm gonna teach you how to cook!" he then turned and shoved a broom into my hand and said "now start massaging that floor." And that's how I learned to cook Italian family style, from the floor up.

 

[panopticist]

I was 13 or 14 and Hank told me "I'm gonna teach you how to cook!" he then turned and shoved a broom into my hand and said "now start massaging that floor." And that's how I learned to cook Italian family style, from the floor up.

I think you hit on the major issue here S4L, it seems that some of these zombie employees act the way they do because of some hierarchy-related chip on their shoulder...

Special Employee's sense of self-entitlement really seems to be really out of whack these days, especially in industries that require no specialization (fast food or coffeeshops, for example). The new guy complains because he works faster than the more seasoned employee, the young guy complains because he 'could run this business better than the boss', the lesser paid employees complain because they feel they work harder than those with larger paychecks. And as if to prove something to each other, they all slow down a little and quit trying so hard. You, the customer, reap the 'rewards' of these shitty attitudes in the form of poor service and bad attitudes.

 

[Kizzattack]

There is a hotel a few counties over from me that is literally run by people with downs syndrome. They have staff helping them out and guiding them but the people with downs syndrome do all of the work. They get into fights and argue and get pissed off pretty easily. I think it would be pretty fun staying there! Never a dull moment I bet, and they all seem happy enough too.

 

[Guest]

for the time being i work at a shitty minimum wage job where they defy labor laws and don't even allow people a break for 8+ hours of work. I still am nice to every customer in every way i can. Thats just the type of person i am. My co workers on the other hand like to come to work hammered and fuck things up and make me fix it.

having said this i would also like to say most people with shitty service industry jobs deserve a shit load more respect then people who sit on their asses all day and collect a paycheck triple the person you just ordered your lunch from. Those people have families and kids and alot of times a second shitty service job just so they have food and hot water.