What to do about Unmotivated Employees

Posted on by Malcolm Munro in Motivate Others, Self Management

Is it just me or does it seem there is a lack of motivation among the employed? 

I received a couple of emails about that this week and actually did a Coffee with the Coach video about it which you can find HERE.

I’ve found that lack of motivation occurs in two areas:

1.  Among the newly employed.

Newer workers (those at high school or college age) that work in the services industry seem to have a bit of trouble adjusting to customer service jobs.  I’ll go ahead and chalk it up to newness in the workforce and maybe parents (and I’m just as guilty) that encourage college-level jobs so you don’t end up flipping burgers at fast food joints.  On the other hand, these entry level jobs could be a great place to hone a person’s work ethic.  It worked for me many years ago when I worked morning crew at a Ralph’s grocery store in Tustin, CA.  My job was to pick up cardboard and load “go-backs” (food that didn’t fit on the shelf) onto a cage and haul it to the back.  I busted my butt and when a stock clerk position came open, I was selected on the spot.

2.  Among the comfortably employed.

The reason employers aren’t hiring in these tough economic times is that they don’t need to!  They’ve probably found that workers who actually WORK for an 8 hour day replace the slackers that were laid off.  Work isn’t an entitlement, it’s a privilege.  My advice to those  who end up finding a job would be to treat it like it was your own business.  Give 110% as if you were working for yourself. 

I suspect this problem will always be with us, but it might be a good time for all of us to reevaluate our own work ethic.  For us that are parents, instill it into our kids.  If you’re a manager, demand it from your employees. 

What do you think?

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