Beer and Gen Y - What Could Go Wrong?

Let's say you're an early bloomer - a responsible Gen Y guy who had kids early, and because of the nature of your workplace, you're around a bunch of peers who don't have the same responsibilities you do.  They're not married and don't have kids.  Like the Fresh Prince's parents, they just don't understand.

If you're Corey Hart (not the "sunglasses at night" guy, but thanks for asking), that's you.  You hang out with a bunch of Gen Y males to whom beer is made readily available, in the workplace, at the end of the "shift".

Sounds like a blue collar job, but it's not.  Take a look at this funny (to some it might be scary) video.  Hart's a professional baseball player with the Milwaukee Brewers, who just got named to the All Star Game.  Because he's a stand-up professional, he's meeting with the press to talk about it.  Because he's a dad, he brought up his young daughter to sit on his lap while he talked to the media. 

Take a look at the video and I'll see you below after the clip.

That's right, the Gen Y crew busted through the door, happy for Hart, and showered him with beer (that's why they call them the BREWERS and they play at MILLER field).  Just one problem, this one little thing... They started the freight train of interruption and beer bath with the little girl on his lap.  Didn't the ladies used to wash their hair with beer back in the day?  I guess this little girl is getting an early start.  Here's my fictional memo that would have gone out the next day...
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TO: All Players
FROM: Management
DATE: July 11, 2008
RE:  Your Powers of Observation and Appropriateness

Team - great idea to celebrate Corey's first All-Star game in front of the media last night.  Always good to show unity and all that.  There's just this one little thing - do you think you HEATHENS could have noticed the 2-year old LITTLE GIRL on his lap before you busted down the door screaming, charged his seat and doused him with a 24-pack of Old Milwaukee?

C'mon guys, what's next?  Demolition Derby with one of the spare wheelchairs against the folks who use the handicap access on the main concourse?  THINK, then act.  Flight to New York today is featuring "Fried Green Tomatoes" to help you get in touch with your sensitive side.  PS - Corey tried to save some bucks and took the consumer based plan in 2008, so if the girl needed treatment or therapy as a result, I suggest you spot up and take care of it for Corey.

THINK, then act.

Skipper
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Comments

[Marie Adams]

Wow, so are the Brewers responsible for any of the shrink visits this little girl is going to need? Not sure who's fault it was, bringing your kid to a press conference or the idiots with beer. All I have to say is - wow.

[Adrielle]

For some, reason this does not surprise me. We are dealing with young people who absolutely cannot think of anything outside of themselves. I can imagine how frightened this little girl must have been. I can also imagine how long it is going to take for her to not be easily frightened anymore. Is it too much to hope that the men in the video be reprimanded?

[John H]

Entertaining post, and a truly stupid move on the team's part.

I'm not sure you should turn it into a discussion about generational issues though. I'm part of Gen Y and I drink beer on occasion. Even so, I'm having trouble relating to the men that charged the 2-year old girl.

Let's try and not make broad based comments about large groups of people. We HR professionals don't like to be labeled as administrators any more than I like to be labeled as selfish.

[argh]

Don't hire jocks other than for sports.

[Helio]

Totally lacking any class whatsoever.

And about this post, "Let's try and not make broad based comments about large groups of people. We HR professionals don't like to be labeled as administrators"

HR "pros" are nothing more than those "people in personnel"

Changing the name does not change the beast.

[HR in Washington]

I agree, these yahoos are idiots, but are they idiotic because they are Gen Y – I’m leaning towards the heavy beer drinking more than the age. As a person sometimes in Gen Y and sometimes in Gen X (depending on what year you use) I am also tired of the broad generalizations. I have 7 years in HR (I wear real clothes to work and expect to put in my hours – I do not expect time off for yoga and don’t spend the day text-messaging). I get just as annoyed with the young workforce in my company that still lives with mom and dad and spends every night getting wasted – then wants you to understand why they are late. Does Gen Y have a higher number of irresponsible people lurking around? Maybe, but we also have some responsible ones out there. I just hired a bunch of college students for internships and they are all doing fabulous – on time, working hard, and, in some cases, out shinning the full time staff. By the way – who bring a two year old to a press conference?

[KD]

Hi Everyone - Thanks for dropping by to comment....

Couple of things after reading the comments. First, I'm a guy, so I thought the celebration was a little funny, but the girl makes it a lot less funny. Its so... so... guy-like...

My wife, who's a mother - was appalled...

Next up, Gen Y in the title is to draw you in, and most of those players are Gen Y. But I'm not a Gen Y basher or big into stereotypes, see this link for my thoughts http://www.workforce.com/section/01/feature/25/52/56/index.html

KD