Have you heard of this phrase at least once in your lifetime? You probably have. Me too.
Shaun at LifeReboot.com wrote a fascinating piece of work in “The Working Dead.” In this article, he writes about an experience with his very first job, the purpose of which was to teach him the value of hard work, except the opposite happened. In the summer of 1997, he was made aware of a class of people who did absolutely nothing in a job working for the local government. In a funny sort of way, government employees have job security - it’s very hard for their employees to get fired unless it involves matters of national security. It’s like how certain college professors have tenure - almos impossible to get rid of them. Anyway, Shaun was only 14 when this happened.
Back in the 80’s and 90’s, I also had my share of these people in the corporate environment, especially when I worked for “Harry the Bank Boss.” Morale was low or non-existent. Since the boss was known for chewing out subordinates, many of my fellow staff members developed the “who cares, it’s not job” mentality. Departments that don’t communicate very well with each other often fall into that trap - they just want to do the bare minimum required of them and that’s it. They simply don’t care. (Photo Source: Comedy Zone)
Why does this happen?
One word: management.
It is not my intention to create the ”us versus management” mentality but the way an organization behaves is directly a result of the prevailing attitudes of those at the top. For example, if the boss is known for blaming others, pointing fingers away from himself, how do you think the people who report to him will behave? They’ll think it’s perfectly acceptable to avoid stepping up to the plate and taking responsibility.
In other words, “NOT MY PROBLEM!”
Photo Source: Call Center Consultants
I’m going to do something different with today’s post. Instead of listing ways I’ve dealt with these kind of people, I would like to invite YOU to comment and tell me how you’ve dealt with the “Not my problem” people. Let’s have some fun with this and see how different people treat a common problem in the workplace!
Food for thought: How have you handled it when people said to you, “HEY, NOT MY PROBLEM!” in the workplace?
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12:48 pm on November 23rd, 2007 1
Hi Stephen,
The way I’ve usually dealt with them, as a co-worker or a manager, is to do it for them… not the greatest approach, which is why I was a dismal failure as a manager, but always a star employee.
I’m really looking forward to responses to this post… thanks for bringing it up.
12:57 pm on November 23rd, 2007 2
Lyman:
I’m glad to see you’re the first to respond to this reader challenge! Thanks for pitching in with your take.
Your response will probably reasonate with a lot of people because I would venture to say many of them don’t exactly relish the prospect of a confrontation in the workplace and so they simply pitch in and do it for those who say “Not my problem!” I can definitely relate to that (my mind is doing a series of flashbacks to the days when I was in Corporate America).
I agree - it should be very interesting to see what others have to say on this subject. Stay tuned!
1:34 pm on November 23rd, 2007 3
I work for the Federal Government. Although I’ve not personally encountered, “NOT MY PROBLEM”, I’ve experienced such attitudes. At my work unit, no one actually cares. If I took 1-1/2 hour lunch, no one, not even my supervisor gives a hoot. I see some employees doing some things but nobody blows a whistle and merely does about his/her own thing. I often lose motivation to go to work daily but I force myself to get up daily simply because I need $$ to LIVE.
BUT, as of Monday, there will be a new supervisor. I will have to see how he does. Will he care enough? Will he actually enforce rules?
2:01 pm on November 23rd, 2007 4
Hi,
I love the photo; it says more than I could in three paragraphs.
A management tool I learned long ago was to ask questions. If an employee doesn’t want to work, my question to them is something along the line of: “tell me why I should pay you for not working?” That question really doesn’t deserve an answer, but it seems to motivate the employee.
Since I am a small business owner I can’t afford to have non-productive employees, but I do try to make it a pleasant place to work, to give perqs when I can and try my best to hire people who understand my business philosophy (which is to stay in business).
Looking forward to more posts like this.
MJ
2:02 pm on November 23rd, 2007 5
The track to success in my view is to
PROMISE LESS AND DO MORE
That means that you sometimes take on more than you expected in order to help someone else. It does not mean you become a slave to everyone but lending a hand in an area that is not your responsibility but it has its own reward in that you feel good about it and it always comes back to you.
In my life coach practice, I do a lot of business coaching. I also do resume writing for pay. Two different pursuits.
But there are many times I just do the clients resume over for the same fee as the life coaching. A lot of it is my crazy compulsion for editing. But they are always very grateful!
2:22 pm on November 23rd, 2007 6
@Nita: I have been to where you are now. Your comment brought back memories of when I was in Corporate America, working for a bank. Took long lunch breaks and no one cared. Thanks for contributing.
@MJ: I agree with you on the power of photos. Like you, I am a small business owner (motivational speaker with big dreams) but without employees. Instead I use an independent contractor who makes money when I make money (commission-based). Anyway, I’m glad you liked this post - there will be more like it in the future. BTW, I especially liked the question you put to your employees directly “Tell me why I should pay you for not working.” I can see why that would be a great motivational tool!
@Corinne: I feel for you, especially for your so-called “crazy compulsion” for editing. Good thing your clients are grateful for that one aspect of you because otherwise you just might have to say to them, “NOT MY PROBLEM!” Just kidding. But really……
5:37 am on November 24th, 2007 7
Hi Stephen,
I have experienced the “it’s not my job” syndrome on many occasions. It’s very east to get frustrated at these people and I often due. However, the underlying problem lies with management.
People tend to perform to the level that is expected of them. If little is expected, then little is what you get. I also believe that there must be a system of accountability in place.
How can you hold someone accountable, when it really isn’t their job?
Let people know what you expect and what is acceptable. Then hold them accountable. Take action if necessary. It is never too much trouble to “fire” someone who is not productive. Besides, what kind of message do we send to others when we allow this kind of performance to flourish?
Mediocrity is not acceptable.
6:42 am on November 24th, 2007 8
Chris:
Great advice! Expectations from the top is an important consideration in the workplace. If they don’t care, why should their employees care? Good tips!
11:17 am on November 24th, 2007 9
Hi Stephen!
That road kill photo is amazing!! oh my God. I have never seen anything like that before! Wow.
for me, where a change finally occurred is when I stopped trying to make other people do their work, or to do it differently, or better. For me, it’s all about 100% personal responsibility. I ask myself: AM I GIVING MY ALL TO ALL? And then I don’t worry about other people. I put the focus on me. Am I doing the best job I can possibly do? It was a huge burden lifted off my shoulders when I decided to take this action, not to mention a tremendous amount of energy and time saved for me to focus on new projects. I used to try to fix everyone. now everyone is free to be exactly as they are.
Thanks for this great blog!
11:20 am on November 24th, 2007 10
Also, my favorite quote that I live by is from A Course in Miracles and it says: “Only appreciation is an appropriate response to your brother.” So that’s how I deal with people who seem not to be doing their work or giving their all. Total gratitude in every situation.
11:24 am on November 24th, 2007 11
Lisa!
It’s wonderful to hear from you! I know - that photo really captures the essence of the title of the post, doesn’t it?
Thanks for your participation in this very interesting and exciting “mini-forum” about how to handle those who say “IT’S NOT MY PROBLEM!”
I can definitely identify with wanting to control others and make them do what you want. But like you, I’ve changed over the years and let others simply be. It’s such a feeling of freedom! I love the quote you provided from “A Course in Miracles.” It’s so true!
Thanks again for taking the time to comment. I love this! I love you and everyone else! It’s fun, fun, fun.
3:43 pm on November 24th, 2007 12
Whenever someone says “it’s not my job”, I try to ask them a series of questions that lead them to realize that when we’re all on the same boat, especially if it’s sinking, and that everything we do benefits or threatens ourselves. If the guy whose job it is to keep plugging the hole in the bottom of the boat isn’t doing that for some reason at a given moment, it makes no sense for me to keep doing my job of rowing while ignoring the fact that the boat is filling with water. Doing that will only help to insure that the boat we’re both on will sink, drowing us both.
4:08 pm on November 24th, 2007 13
Mark:
Welcome! What a delight to have a new commentator join in on the fun and discussion.
You seem to have it down pat with your system of asking people a series of questions, leading them to make some profound discoveries. It’s interesting to see a wide variety of different opinions on this subject!
As you can see, there is no one way to do things. Everyone has a different method for dealing with these “IT’S NOT MY JOB” people. I love the sinking boat analogy - it’s BRILLIANT!
Thanks again for joining in on the conversation. It was great having you.
7:48 pm on November 24th, 2007 14
Hi Stephen,
This is a great post. I’m glad you liked the “hard work” image we made; thanks for the link!
Since I’m the low man on the totem pole right now, “it’s not my job” isn’t a big problem for me. I’m usually able to take it to the boss and have them handle people like that.
Andrew
7:59 pm on November 24th, 2007 15
Hello there Andrew:
Well, Andrew, I’m glad you enjoyed the post and I hope you come back again…(You’re more than welcome about the linkback - I believe in giving credit where due).
Thanks for stopping by.
5:11 pm on December 10th, 2007 16
I take the path of finding out what it is that makes the person respond with “It`s not my job”…
If you work for a company it is your job to know everything about who you work for, saying “Its not my job” is like saying “Hey, anything in life will do, why must I extend myself any further than what is required.”
Well, I`m sure you can see the logic in that…what kind of career will you have with that company with that attitude ? I`ve seen it, people sitting 20 years plus in the same job, never moving further because “Thats not my job”…same company, same office, same desk, people come and go/move around them…its crazy. That`s where that attitude gets you.
Rather try and teach them about bettering themselves, even if it means you must “take them under your wing” for a while and show them something new.
5:39 pm on December 10th, 2007 17
Chris:
It’s good to see you again! I see you’re browsing around the university, checking out different articles and posts that seem to draw your attention and interest.
Welcome! And I’m glad to have you as part of the community here.
Have you ever noticed how these people who say, “it’s not my job,” are the same ones who say “Same old. Same old” when asked how everything it going in their life?
Those people lost their dreams long ago. They may once have had a spark of fire in them but something happened along the way and the spark was extinquished, forever darkened. Oftentimes they aren’t aware of it until someone comes along and takes them under their wing. Otherwise, they go to their graves never knowing how much of a difference they could have made if they just made an little bit of an extra effort.
Great comment! Thanks again for feeling inspired to add your thoughts to this discussion.
10:55 am on May 20th, 2008 18
I think part of the reason - I have personally said, Its not my job! Is due to the lack of foresight on management. It is a culture that can take the most creative, energetic efforts and change them into a horizontal trance. My own… It’s not my job has materialized from not being valued, listened to, trained, or paid. I have been in business, where I have communicated concerns on preplaning and avoiding major catastrophes during transistions(which can be stressful). When Management pushes you aside and says we will deal with that later or the absolute worse- we don’t have time for that now!!!! Yet clearly the train is still barrelling in their direction … you are left to choose …step aside or sacrifice yourself to save them. Later the employer is stressed out because they refused to preplan and now they are flying by the seat of their pants(hurried and panicked) Everything you do.. is a day late and a dollar short. These types of frustrations lead to It’s not my job - you chose not to listen. Good luck. This also lessens the desire to want to be helpful to your employer in the future.
Just a thought!
12:05 pm on May 20th, 2008 19
Christina:
Very insightful thought and actually quite realistic with what’s going on out there. I’ve always believed that it’s not what happens that matters but how we deal with it. Regardless of the reason behind the circumstances, we still have a choice on how we will respond to the way management is treating me and so forth.
Certainly lack of genuine leadership is hurting organizations on all levels. If they don’t demonstrate integrity, how can their employees be expected to follow suit? Not an easy situation, for sure.
Thanks a lot for sharing - it really added value and flavor to this discussion!
8:41 am on May 24th, 2008 20
I recently returned to a supervisory position and have 3 very strong willed young staff members. I experience this comment often and I try to ask questions like if you don’t give this person a call and ask what their intention was how are you going to know in the future? Isn’t it better to resolve it now instead have having to deal with it over and over again? Their response is always “it’s not my job to make the call”. I wonder what happened to the generation that was so atimate about customer service and to take or go that extra mile.
My response after trying to get them to see through questions or allowing them to come to the decision, is never mind I’ll just do it myself. The problem with me doing this is that I just don’t always have the time to perform my job and their jobs too. So perhaps my line of questioning is not correct and is something I may need to work on.
8:52 am on May 24th, 2008 21
Debbie:
Welcome to the Adversity University community! It’s great to hear from someone with on the job experience.
The first thing that popped into my mind is what I usually tell my life coaching clients: How can you get your colleagues more involved in the outcome. Are they part of the overall vision? Are you letting them know what is in it for them if they make those phone calls? Have you gained their trust by communicating with them and truly having an open door policy?
Only you can answer these questions for you’re an expert in yourself. Giving them more money is not always the answer. Many people are starving for recognition and the need to feel important. How are you making them feel like a team member?
Hope these were thought provoking questions for you to mull over. These are the same questions I’ve put to my clients and for myself. Really makes me think when I sit down and contemplate the answers.
Thanks for contributing! Have a great holiday weekend and I look forward to hearing from you again.
8:58 pm on May 24th, 2008 22
Debbie:
I just sent you an email with a copy of a manifesto written by Michael Lee Stallard who wrote a 20 page free report about the value of connectedness in the workplace, exactly what I talked about. It is here:
http://changethis.com/44.06.ConnectionCulture
Michael’s website is here: http://www.michaelleestallard.com/
Stephen