Pauline Sherrer "From the Publisher" Published Dec. 30, 2005

What ever happened to the work ethic?

Work ethics!

Those two words have no meaning to many of the bodies that come into the work place each and every day. I have talked with many business owners and other publishers across the United States and their main problem is finding people that will come to work and work a good six or seven hours for eight hours' pay.

Yes, the quote is correct. Some business owners would be happy for employees who get paid for eight hours and really give a good six hours of work. At least, they are in the building making some attempt to get the job done.

Recently I spoke with a representative of a stone fabrication place in Chattanooga. She told me that she was at the point of just taking a warm body if it would show up for work when scheduled. That is getting really bad.

It is especially hard to find dependable part-time people. This is why so many of our retired citizens have returned to work part-time. Did I say the word, "work?"

Yes, these 55 and over retirees have excellent work ethics. They have led professional lives and know you must work eight hours for eight hours of pay. Many of those same individuals would work many more than eight hours for eight hours of pay. You work the number of hours it takes to get the job at hand done. Our young people do not understand this concept.

Tennessee Technology Center in Crossville has listened to the industrial and business community. Effective Jan. 1, 2006, TTCC will institute a Work Ethics grade as a component of each student's overall grade average. This program will reinforce those students with good work ethics and improve those characteristics in students needing help in that area.

A grade will be given based on a student's work ethics. Students will be graded on 10 work ethics categories which are: quality of work, productivity, attendance, organizational skills, teamwork, appearance, attitude, communication, cooperation, and character.

That is just another example of actions taken by TTCC Director Jim Purcell and staff that work towards meeting the needs of today's working world. This is the reason we have one of the best technology schools in the country.

The upcoming graduates of TTCC will not have any difficulties finding good jobs. Companies from all areas will want TTCC graduates.

We have an excellent full-time work force at the Chronicle with many years of experience. We also have several young people that contribute greatly to the success of our operation.

They come to work on time, work during the day, take the appropriate time for breaks, do not spend wasted time talking with others around them, complete tasks given to them in a timely manner and wish to please their supervisor and really care about doing a good job.

Oh, you say is that work ethics? Yes, it is that simple. Just work while you are at work and maybe even think a little bit about your work needs while you are at home or driving to and fro.

We are fortunate in Cumberland County to have those great folks in leadership positions at our technology school.

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Pauline D. Sherrer is the publisher of the Crossville Chronicle. Her column is published periodically.