Have we become the land of bludgers…?

[haste]

Firstly, this is all based on my own perceptions and experiences… this is by no means based on any researched fact, but it’s my hope to uncover the opinions of another segment of the Australian population – the bluelight community

The hardest part is to put forward my experiences and thoughts without coming across as a stuck up management dick. My views are based on my employment history in management and previous work for a couple of TAFE’s running job clubs.

Anyway, down to business. It’s been an argument that’s long been around – immigrants rob Australian’s of employment opportunities – but this isn’t about the rights and wrongs of immigration (so get off your high horses, the arguments are old). My thoughts rather point to the Australian psyche – are we robbed of employment opportunities, or have we become a land of bludgers more comfortable with blaming others for our misfortunes rather than ourselves?

I’ve been within the corporate field for almost 10 year, but a good part was spent as a blue collar worker – so I like to think I have an insight into both sides of the fence. Being thrust into a management position has led me to evaluate our workers and in some instances makes unpleasant decisions. During my time as a logistics manager, and before, we have had multiple workers coming in and out of our doors – they have all shared one common trait. There is the attitude of doing only what needs to be done and extracting every last bit of benefit they are entitled to. Things such as working within the specified hours, using every last minute of breaks, making full use of benefits such as sick leave in fear of losing them, pacing yourself to make your work last etc etc.

I’ve had on many occasions, fork lift drivers stop loading trucks on the stroke of 5pm, only for me to finish the loads – their argument is that they aren’t paid past 5, so why should they work past it. Fair enough, neither am I, but I do it for the good of the business and the business has rewarded me many times for such. What amazes me is that when we are experiencing quite times, its ok for them to kick back in the lunch room on company time, or leave early. But ask them to stay back for 15 minutes to finish a load and it’s like the greatest injustice thrust upon them.

I’ve heard for many years that migrants rob us of our employment opportunities – but I’ve often wondered if this is at all true. Is it more a case of different work ethics, different life experiences and different expectations that separates us? I’m certainly not saying that all Australian’s fall into the “bludgers” category – far from it, but I can’t deny that it’s prevalent among many workers.

Are we a land of bludgers or am I seeing it through tainted glasses?

EDIT: I must also add, this is not limited to only blue collar workers, I've seen it in the corportate world too. Thought I'd clear that up

 

[notneo]

I haven't had any extended amount of experience because I am young but I have definately seen it happen. People are just lazy, if you're a little motivated in this world you can go very far even on little qualifications! It's just a shame that most people can't see this and wonder why they get laid off for migrant workers who are willing to work harder in many cases.

 

[Macksta]

I think relative to most asian and european countries we on the whole ARE a land of bludgers. We definitely take a much more relaxed attitude to life (and work), and while it can be perceived as a negative, I think it's also a fairly unique and indelible part of the Australian psyche.

The claim that migrants rob us of jobs is a complete furphy as anyone who's managed to scrape through with a concessional pass in 1st year Sociology would be able to tell you.

Immigration actually creates jobs overall as the influx of people require new and expanded products and services. Thus the economy is stimulated, generating growth and employment.

A UCLA study has shown that mainly unskilled & unauthorised immigration contributes about $800 billion a year to the US economy.

So yeah, I definitely don't think we're robbed of employment opportunities.

(Besides which we need migrants to help repopulate the country as Australia currently has a negative replacement birth rate!)

I think a better question might have been... 'Is low cost labour in other countries stealing Australian jobs as big companies pack up and move their manufacturing operations to cheap Asian countries? Is it right that this should be happening?'

 

[nezo]

[edited cause it was too irrelevant]

 

[h@ndo]

Yeah I tend to agree with you there Haste.

I find myself falling into that catergory to a point. I mean I work hard and all and don't mind working a bit of overtime when needed, however I take all my lunch hour, take my sick days and holidays when I need to and if the work load has slowed down I might work at 80% to stretch out the day.

Some guys at my work place on the other hand wouldn't leave work if they didn't have to. I've asked these guys before and it seems to come down to the money factor more than anything, they said they were not doing it for the company but to just get a bit more overtime in their pay packet.

I don't have the drive for this, I prefer to live a bit more now instead of thinking of the dollers. I'm not the bloke who stays back after 17:30 every night and comes in for 10 hours on a saturday I would go crazy.

Don't get me wrong when the pressure is on I will work the overtime and the Saturdays. ATM I'm on 10 hour days standard and 8 hours on Saturday but this is because it is required to get the job done and I'm fine with this.

So yeah I suppose I do what is required and not much more but I wouldn't call myself a Bludger. For me a Bludger is more like the guy who doesn't pull his weight and myself and other guys end up sharing his workload to get the job done and boy do I hate them guys !!

Good topic as always

 

[UnSquare]

"Yeah, I got a delivery motherfucka!"

"The door swings both ways."

Thanks Gary Busey.
Guess the movie?

My bro works for an insurance company
rocks up every morning
before 8 (expected to start at 8.30)
and never leaves before 5.30
usually stayin' back past 6 or 7

On average apart from that he does
about another 7 or so hours of overtime a week
and has done so for over 5 months
for 'the good of the business'
& 'who else is gonna do it'?

Yesterday he got """An Incentive "Bonus"""""
of about $280-

He said he'd rather be spat on

The CEO's just bought a new house
&
a new villa

Man, I gotta watch him, my bro,
he may fuckin' go postal...

Yeah, but I work for a friend of mine so
we got no problems.
We're both lazy.

 

[Mucahsah]

I think you have to take into consideration the fact not everyone's doing a job they particularly want to be doing, or even like at all. For some it's just a means of income. Some may also have large families or outside commitments which leads to less work ethics in the department of hours. You can't assume it's because they're all lazy. But some maybe, sure.

 

[notneo]

You can't use the excuse of being unsatisfied with your job to be lazy. Being lazy is just that.. being lazy and not going beyond the minimum (if you even reach the minimum that is).

 

[muzby]

yes.

 

[Mucahsah]

Okay let's go back to the definition of lazy. According to a Macquarie Dictionary lazy means "disinclined to exertion or work; idle".

From my interpretation that would apply to anyone not meeting the minimum expectations, however meeting them, and working for the hours that are being paid for without excess is not laziness. It's doing their job, or even what they feel is required of them.

If you want to look at real bludgers look at the figures related to unemployed dole receivers.

 

[papermate]

I think you have to take into consideration the fact not everyone's doing a job they particularly want to be doing, or even like at all. For some it's just a means of income.

This is true for probably about 60% of the population I would think, perhaps more. I also work in a managment role, and although I dont have the grey hairs that took Haste 10 years to get, I have come up through various companies on the ''blue collar side of things''also.

There is no doubt that there is that common theme of lazy people over every industry, and as I mentioned I beleive its a majority not a minority. I also beleive that there also has to be a definate point where an employer makes clear that if working standards aren't upheld that the employees need to be somewhere else. I think its takes a greader leader with patience and ambition to motivate the workers irrespecitve of being a migrant or aussie. But I also think that its just as important that an employer maintances enthusiasm, integrity and a relationship with the employees. The need to terminate someone and maintain the respect of the remaining employees is paramount.

Personality right now in the hospitaltiy industry I dont think that migrants within the hospitality Industry are lazy. Generally speaking the people who are in Houskeeping role work really hard and in just about every hotel the Houskeeping Supervisor keeps a tight reign on the staff.

From a front office point of view (which tends to be more ''australianised'')I think that there is much room for improvement in most hotels though. It frustrates me to no end to see someone in a managment role who doesnt have basic standard of practise such as turning up late, or leaving early. If you compare the hard working standards that the Houskeepers have, some of the front office people could learn a lesson. I think this comes from a sense of comfortablity, but once again it is all managements role to manage this and set the standards.

If you push the employees out of their comfort zone, and set the standards and the bars higher, then it will become the norm. Its not good enought to be in a position where you think - '' damn...so and so is on tonight, i hate working with him.'' You need to be honest with the employee and make them aware.

Otherwise sack the clowns. Although its a pain to find quality staff in this industry.

 

[haste]

I wouldn't call a bludger only within the lazy category- I would also be inclined to say it could be a person dis-interested in what they're doing, and therefore will do the bare minimum to get by - or will avoid tasks because of disinterest.

I've worked in the past, during my Uni days, where I would have considered myself a bludger - I would get by doing only what I had to and would avoid any additional work - why? Because I didn't want to be there but had to for financial reasons.

However, if I was to find myself in the same postion again - I would do all in my power to motivate myself to either better my standing in the company, or move onto a better career choice. Of course this is not something achievable easily and with the click of one's fingers - but I also don't see the positives in accepting defeat and blaming others for your standing in life.

If knocked down by life... get back up and give it the finger

Now dole bludgers, well.......

 

[che_melbourne]

im lazy... too lazy to write an essay like the rest of u ppl

but i have a job which is hard work and i actually do work while there
but looking for easier job now

 

[CHiLD-0F-THE-BEAT]

I agree with what you are saying Haste [great thread idea, btw ]; people are generally lazy and do very much milk the system for what it is worth.

I would love to see everyone giving %100 to their place of employment, and instill their heart and soul into their work.

But, the reality remains, most people work in fields that do not interest or motivate them.

And I would have to put my hand up as one of those people who work hard and well while I am at work, being paid..
But I don't allow this to impede upon my unpaid time.

You're right - - - my attitude is, I am not getting paid. I do not need to be doing this.
And as it doesn't incite passion within me, I don't put my all into it....as in, I don't stay back, just as I don't take shorter breaks.

If I do take shorter breaks just to help the company, someone else is benefiting from my dedication, and therefore I'm losing out.
A warped idea, I know.

 

[MoeBro]

And I would have to put my hand up as one of those people who work hard and well while I am at work, being paid..
But I don't allow this to impede upon my unpaid time.

*cough*sms'ofDOOM*cough*

 

[CHiLD-0F-THE-BEAT]

^*Ahem*
I meant that I complete my quotas, and quite often achieve above target.

Doesn't always mean I use company time for work.
If I finish my work, or if it doesn't impede, I do use my resources [as pointed out by Moe] which include free sms.

It's called a perk for a reason.

 

[MoeBro]

A quota is merely a minimum goal set for underachievers to aim for. Working implies you actually work not just show up and complete what they set for you. This may mean either showing initiative and finding yourself something else productive to do, or requesting extra work.

Now to me, this is all blasphemy. I am a lazy bastard and will only complete the work I'm asked to do, unless there really is a reward for going out of my way, be it immediate, or a long term thing that will eventually result in me coming out on top, so I really shouldn't talk should I?

 

[UnFuZed]

I have been working since leaving school at the end of yr10, i am very happy with where i have got in my life and with my qualifications, and by no way am a bludger....

i have never been on any kind of government handouts and the only time i have quit a job is to better myself and move on to something bigger and better and only quitting when i have something else to go straight to.

i currently am not all to happy with my current job, but this doesn't effect my work performance, the job at hand would be done regardless, yes if the work is slow i would be known to maybe slow down a bit as to spread the work out over the day, but only to keep busy, as there is nothing worse than having to sit there twiddling your thumbs, if its an urgent job well it cant be spread out and has to be done, but if there is no urgency i don't see a problem in slowing down a bit to "keep yourself busy", i believe in what someone else said "door swings both ways" it gets a little annoying when you don't get appreciated for the work that you do, even more so when no one in the company seems to get appreciated, when in the end it is the workers that rock up everyday that keeps the business running, sure the management can employ new ppl at the drop of a hat, but thats not the point i am trying to make, maybe if you were appreciated a bit more you wouldn't mind staying the extra 15mins to finish what u were doing, but when its just shrugged off as something that you have to do, thats when it gets to the point where u think "why should i stay back" i don't think that is being lazy or a bludger, its just looking for a bit of appreciation for the work that you do, in most cases a simple pat on the back saying "good job, very much appreciated that you stayed and helped" would be sufficient enough, but it seems to be one sided, YOU are expected to do overtime etc etc, but when it comes to YOU needing time off its rarely given much consideration, but what i've found is alot of boss's (mainly family businesses) seem to just worry about the money in there pocket at the end of the day and not worry about the most important part of the business, the workers. This seems to be more common in family business's, well the ones i have worked in, they are not all the same, alot are very appreciative and in the end i think they are the ones that will have the better relationships with there workers and it would be alot more enjoyable to work there, after all it is good to work in an environment when there are no hard feelings between anyone and everyone seems to get on well.
With regards to the foreiners (sp?), particularly asians, alot of them work in the industry i am in and i have found them to be the ones that don't put in the extra effort when it comes to overtime, working precisely to times etc etc. they tend to start dead on time, finish dead on time (dropping whatever they are doing) and don't work overtime, whereas the aussies usually hang around till after the finish time and finish what they are doing, this is just coming from my current position where i am now, by all means other ppl could have different experiences.
and no offence to anyone by that last comment, it is simply an observation with my current situation.

So in conclusion, when i hear bludgers, lazy and phrases like that i tend to think of ppl that are on the dole, that don't want to work, sponging off the government etc etc.... i think most ppl who actually work, want to work, whether it be just for the money, or just for the learning, or a combination of both, i personally would get bored if i didn't work.

Cheers PPL's

:D

 

[Grep]

Well I can kind of speak of my own experience here. When I started working "pulling network cables" in 1994, I was highly motivated and moved up the corportate ladder real quick. Every job I had showed management that I have had incentive and because of my extra time I put in and dedication, I was duly rewarded.

I have now been working for an IT firm here in New York City and I am bored to fucking tears. I get to the office after 9am and leave around 4:30pm ... because there is nothing to do. So what I could attribute an attitude as Haste describes is that people generally get totally bored with their mundane job and have a dont care attitude, now I dont speak for everyone, but thats just my experience.

$0.02

 

[LifeIsEEEEasy]

every society in the world has its bludgers and hardworkers. its just the social/political environment that determines how they're viewed and treated