Local job losses

Datsun1500 wrote:

carguy123 wrote:

mtn wrote: I'd like to see both of those graphs individualized with an overlay of working age population.

I saw one recently and it was worse for the younguns than the olduns.

And I know this is a sweeping generalization, but... As an employer, it seems like a lot of the 20-25 year olds say they want to work, but have no concept of keeping a schedule/job. It seems like they expect the job hours to fit around the other stuff they want to do.

I see and hear this a lot, both in skilled and unskilled labor. We're lucky if we have a trainee that wants to come to work yet alone actually wants to learn a trade.... and get paid good money to learn it.

We came through the Great Unpleasantness pretty darn well. But BOY are we slow right now.

z31maniac wrote:

Datsun1500 wrote:

carguy123 wrote:

mtn wrote: I'd like to see both of those graphs individualized with an overlay of working age population.

I saw one recently and it was worse for the younguns than the olduns.

And I know this is a sweeping generalization, but... As an employer, it seems like a lot of the 20-25 year olds say they want to work, but have no concept of keeping a schedule/job. It seems like they expect the job hours to fit around the other stuff they want to do.

It seems like a lot of older people are out of touch with reality in regards to making broad, sweeping generalizations about the younger generations.

+1.

Note: I work usually from 7:45 to 4:45 with about 45 minutes of break time (including lunch and bathroom). That should be 8 to 4:30 with 75 minutes of breaks, but works gotta get done. As soon as I move to a position that it is possible (actually, my supervisor is working to allow it for my current one) I am going on 4x10s. Flexible work schedules are a great thing.

I'd probably fit the "youngun wanting flexible schedule."

I want to be able to work 60 hours when its needed, and 30 hours when its not. Too many businesses assume that work stays at a constant rate throughout the year, and we all know there are slow months and busy months.

I'd also love to trade salary for schedule vacation. I'd love to be cheaper to my company, less burnt out, and more willing to work overtime when it is necessary.

JoeyM wrote: unemployment is dropping, but still nowhere back where it used to be: http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/FLPOLK5URN I suspect that it may never drop that low again if we don't diversify our economy. MANY of the lost jobs were unskilled labor (housing construction) during an unsustainable boom in growth at the cost of every other thing possible. (i.e., houses built cheaply, without concern for needed schools, water supply, road maintenance, etc.)

Employment is within .5% of where it was five years ago. If even half of those counted in the U7 category were to resume looking for jobs, the unemployment rate would be knocking on the 9% door with a battering ram.

Datsun1500 wrote: In reply to z31maniac: I am not too old :) it's just what I see when hiring people. Maybe it's just that they are single and don't have much debt..

What's wrong with a flexible schedule if I'm getting my work done?

For instance, I came in late Monday because I was dealing with the company who is taking down 2 40' oak trees in our front yard, so I stayed late last night, and came in early this morning.

My current boss let's me leave early EVERY Friday, why? Because I get my stuff done on-time with a high level of quality. It's a reward for good work.

So in my case, I think a flexible schedule is something you earn vs just get.

Maybe I do agree with you a bit.

Another thing to look at is growth of export markets and access of those markets to USA-Made goods.

For better or worse, Americans seem to be becoming more informed and critical consumers, and I think its hard to sell USA-Made stuff within the USA, but we can't exactly sell it outside the USA to the fastest growing markets because they can't afford our stuff either.

How can our domestic economy continue to grow, how can we provide jobs for people when they don't produce stuff people can afford or even want?

PHeller wrote: Another thing to look at is growth of export markets and access of those markets to USA-Made goods. For better or worse, Americans seem to be becoming more informed and critical consumers, and I think its hard to sell USA-Made stuff within the USA, but we can't exactly sell it outside the USA to the fastest growing markets because they can't afford our stuff either. How can our domestic economy continue to grow, how can we provide jobs for people when they don't produce stuff people can afford or even want?

[Flounder]
We could take away the minimum wage. Or stop doing business with countries that don't have labor laws that are on the same playing field as ours.
[/Flounder]

Too bad some people (who like to get offended at broad sweeping generalizations that aren't about them) feel the need to broadcast their complaints on the internet during the middle of the work day.

Datsun1500 wrote: In reply to z31maniac: I am not too old :) it's just what I see when hiring people. Maybe it's just that they are single and don't have much debt..

Don't worry, I see the same thing; if I can get someone to pass a drug test.

z31maniac wrote: It seems like a lot of older people are out of touch with reality in regards to making broad, sweeping generalizations about the younger generations.

Good one. That might be the funniest thing I've heard today. What have you been huffing?

Houston is booming. The downside is that you live in Houston.

Datsun1500 wrote: And I know this is a sweeping generalization, but... As an employer, it seems like a lot of the 20-25 year olds say they want to work, but have no concept of keeping a schedule/job. It seems like they expect the job hours to fit around the other stuff they want to do.

Probably depends on what industry and how skilled of labor you are hiring. I fit in that age bracket, and I think I do rather well keeping up with my 80 hr work weeks...as do my peers.

Datsun1500 wrote: And I know this is a sweeping generalization, but... As an employer, it seems like a lot of the 20-25 year olds say they want to work, but have no concept of keeping a schedule/job. It seems like they expect the job hours to fit around the other stuff they want to do.

I suspect it is a function of being 20 to 25. I have heard the same general complaints about that age group and witnessed some of it myself since I was 20. That was over 25 years ago.I suspect you would have seen the thing in the 70's and 80's too.

SVreX wrote: Too bad some people (who like to get offended at broad sweeping generalizations that aren't about them) feel the need to broadcast their complaints on the internet during the middle of the work day.

I started my job at a large multi-billion dollar insurance company at 24 after college. If leading your team in a number of metrics and getting double-digit raises means "no 24 year olds will work", I was providing a counter point.

I made OK money, had benefits, retirement, vacation time..............would I have busted my a$$ like for $8.50/hr...........probably not.

No need to get defensive.

You are 31. It was the middle of the work day. And he didn't say "No 24 year olds will work".

That is all. Don't get your panties in a knot.

Enyar wrote: I fit in that age bracket, and I think I do rather well keeping up with my 80 hr work weeks...as do my peers.

Yea, that can suck a bag of dicks.....I tried that for 2 years, it was good money, but no life.

...and I busted my a$$ just as hard for my first job as I do now, even though I was paid $2.50 per hour.

SVreX wrote: No need to get defensive. You are 31. It was the middle of the work day. And he didn't say "No 24 year olds will work". That is all. Don't get your panties in a knot.

Oh come on, you've been on here long enough to know I'm not offended.

Datsun1500 wrote: I start you at $50K plus an iphone, ipad, and gas card. I can't get guys to show up on time. I swear it's because I pay too much and they don't need it.

When do I start? I'll start at 5 AM, and even supply my own Iphone.

PHeller wrote: I'd probably fit the "youngun wanting flexible schedule." I want to be able to work 60 hours when its needed, and 30 hours when its not. Too many businesses assume that work stays at a constant rate throughout the year, and we all know there are slow months and busy months. I'd also love to trade salary for schedule vacation. I'd love to be cheaper to my company, less burnt out, and more willing to work overtime when it is necessary.

I've known people who worked flex time, if the job allows it it's a great thing, for instance one guy was a programmer for an insurance company. He had to put in 45 hours a week (40 straight time/5 time and a half OT) but they didn't care when he put them in as long as he hit his productivity target; if he chose to go in at 2AM and work straight through till 7pm the next day that was fine.

Problem is many jobs just don't lend themselves to flex time. Ex: two stepbrothers who work for a big paper mill here. When the digester fires up it has to have X number of people to monitor and feed it, otherwise a very expensive batch goes bad. My job wouldn't work well with flex time either.

Datsun1500 wrote:

z31maniac wrote: I made OK money, had benefits, retirement, vacation time..............would I have busted my a$$ like for $8.50/hr...........probably not.

I start you at $50K plus an iphone, ipad, and gas card. I can't get guys to show up on time. I swear it's because I pay too much and they don't need it.

Fresh outta college? I'd have your coffee on your desk before you got to the office.

Datsun1500 wrote:

z31maniac wrote: I made OK money, had benefits, retirement, vacation time..............would I have busted my a$$ like for $8.50/hr...........probably not.

I start you at $50K plus an iphone, ipad, and gas card. I can't get guys to show up on time. I swear it's because I pay too much and they don't need it.

Not bad, that's about the equivalent of what I was making before I left State Farm in 2006.

What do you have them doing out of curiousity? I'm not looking to change careers or move to the east coast, just wonder why you can't get guys to show up for a decent paying gig?

mtn wrote:

Datsun1500 wrote:

z31maniac wrote: I made OK money, had benefits, retirement, vacation time..............would I have busted my a$$ like for $8.50/hr...........probably not.

I start you at $50K plus an iphone, ipad, and gas card. I can't get guys to show up on time. I swear it's because I pay too much and they don't need it.

Fresh outta college? I'd be have your coffee on your desk before you got to the office.

He's just outside of Baltimore, $50k there, is the equivalent of $37,000 in Tulsa for instance. Still not bad, but $650+ a month in take home is a huge difference.

Datsun1500 wrote:

SVreX wrote:

Datsun1500 wrote: I start you at $50K plus an iphone, ipad, and gas card. I can't get guys to show up on time. I swear it's because I pay too much and they don't need it.

When do I start? I'll start at 5 AM, and even supply my own Iphone.

With the commute, you'd be late every day. Damn, now the old guys won't work either

Over my dead body! Keep that "old" bs to yourself!