I'm too texty for this post

Is texting or archaic policy the problem?

I must admit. When I started reading "horror stories" about how Gen-Y just doesn't get it, I was offended and appalled. After all, my own work ethic (and that of my similarly aged friends) is stellar and I have a (tenuous) claim to the millennial camp. However, lately I may have to eat my own words. In blog posts, chat rooms, and conversations over coffee, I am hearing more and more horror stories of my own. And they aren't coming from geezers, they're coming from my peers.

Necessary disclosures:

1) In 2009, I will turn 30. If I ever argued vehemently for the right to be called a millennial, after July, it will just seem silly. (Good time to start bashing them then!)

2)I have oodles and oodles of children, which is why I skew "more responsible" than some in my generation.

Okay, so the first situation is this:

Employee calls in sick, notifying the receptionist, who neglects to tell the employee's direct supervisor. Employee is told to always call-in to a direct supervisor. Two weeks later, employee texts her direct supervisor at 11 pm the night before she is planning to call in sick. The employer, being a gentleman slightly more advanced in his years, never receives the text. This employee was surprised when she was "written up"and placed responsibility for the original absence on the receptionist. Age:26

Second situation:

Assistant tells virtually everyone on her team that she will be taking days off in the coming weeks but is unsure which days these might be. When she discovers that she needs the days off, she texts her immediate supervisor (who knew nothing of this, although the remainder of the team DID) the night before, dispensing with the normal office protocol of filling out a time off request. She does not come in for a week. Age: 23

What do you think of these situations? Is this responsible behavior? Can it be chalked up to age, inexperience?

Would it change your answer if you knew that a VP of the company frequently texts his requests when out of the office? Why? Why not?

This thread posits that attendance policies are becoming a moot point. Yeah, we all know ROWE would rule but how to make that happen overnight?

Discuss amongst yourselves. Seriously, I need answers!

(Just so you know I expect to get a fair bit of vehemence in linking irresponsible texting to Gen Y. It's cool. Just remember, I am practically Gen Y myself.)

Comment by Dan Nuroo on December 18, 2008 at 12:47am: Apparently I am not a Gen Y, I think I sit comfortably in the GEN X category, however saying this is a generational thing is a bit tough... It is a human thing... it never ceases to amaze me the lack of common sense in people. True the Gen Yers have more access and know-how to the technology. Blaming or dumping all this generation with the lack of responsibility tag is a little tough... Just back to a n intergenerational... "When I was a boy, man we had it tough.. I had to......" etc phrases. Don't get me wrong.. I live for using those phrases, but tarring all with the one brush is a little harsh, no matter how much I enjoy it :)

Comment by Rayanne on December 18, 2008 at 3:30am: Well..., um, er.., I am a baby boomer... barely, but I am one and I can tell you that I would NEVER text my supervisor or leave message with the receptionist... I would call and call until I get voice to voice with my supervisor. Now...,

When I was 18 and in college, I stood up a dentist I was doing training with because we got six inches of snow the night before and I drove a convertible Fiat that had gone off the road several times already that winter. I did leave a message with the receptionist who happened to be his wife - he promptly called my advisor at the university and changed the already good evaluation he had given me... I learned a very valuable lesson that day - don't have lame excuses or leave messages. Get voice to voice or show up for work!

At some point, responsibility must be taken for one's own actions... what are you gonna do, go on Oprah and blame the world? Manners are manners. Etiquette is etiquette.
When in doubt ask yourself, If I were the boss, how would I want to be treated? How would I want to be informed?

Comment by Steve Levy on December 18, 2008 at 8:41am: "Would it change your answer if you knew that a VP of the company frequently texts his requests when out of the office?"

If so, the VPs in charge and makes the rules. That's life kiddies - get over it.

Age related behavior? Absolutely. But somewhere along the experience and education trails, someone failed when talking about professionalism. Or everyone failed.

Comment by Amanda Edwards-McArthur on December 18, 2008 at 3:17pm: As a fellow Gen Y I have never texted my boss, however if it was an activity that he frequently started....I might. However if I was calling in and never received a response I would make sure that I called to confirm the message's receipt. But that's what comes from a few years of training in CYA 101....I met a number of peers that lack a knowledge base of CYA or overall responsibility, so while I will say "don't put me in that boat" stereotypes start somewhere....and it only takes a couple of people to ruin it for the rest of us....

I'm too texty for this post

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