British Businessman Publicly Blasts Work Ethic of Teen Job Seekers

Think 'lack of work ethic' of the young workforce is a criticism leveled only by American employers? Think again. This story from the U.K. tells the story of an owner of a large farm in England whose frustration with young job seekers has escalated to the point he is publicly lambasting--and even boycotting--the teen job applicants coming from the local Jobcentre.  "They have no work ethic and unfit for the labour market," 54-year-old Richard Haddock says. "They turn up late, half asleep or with hangovers and spend half their time checking their mobile phones." He further laments, "They know they should not wear nail varnish because they are handling food but they turn up wearing it anyway. If you try to discipline them or help them, they throw it back in your face." "We need to change our attitude to education and stop telling young people they need to go to university and expect to come out to a £50,000 job" Haddock says. It's not just a coincidence that Haddock's brief characterization of poor work ethic references 5 of the 7 core work ethic values  (attitude, reliability, professionalism, respect, and gratitude) detailed in my new book Reviving Work Ethic: A Leader's Guide to Ending Entitlement and Restoring Pride in the Emerging Workforce. Haddock, one of Great Britain’s most high-profile farmers, has now instituted a policy that requires all job applicants to audition for a job by working two hours for free. He extends job offers only to those who demonstrate the work ethic he demands. Rather than idly sit back and complain, this fed-up farmer has created a brand new way to separate the chaff from the grain.