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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think a work experience should make the tea?

189 replies

LouiseD29 · 31/05/2013 12:39

I work in a large-ish agency in central London. It's fairly competitive and as a result we have a steady stream of youngsters all keen for a work experience placement. Some good, some not so good, but I am increasingly noticing that most of them NEVER offer to do a tea round for the team!

It's not like I'm expecting them to be churning out six rounds a day for 25 people, but AIBU to think that it shouldn't be beyond them to spot that 1. People here like tea; 2. If you do a nice thing for people it shows manners and team spirit and they're more likely to remember you and bear you in mind for future vacancies and 3. Everyone else has made a round today so GO AND PUT THE KETTLE ON!

When I was starting out I was constantly looking for opportunities to impress and wouldn't have dreamt of letting someone more senior make me a cup of tea.

AIBU and hopelessly old-fashioned, or do these youngsters have no clue?

OP posts:
BeauNidle · 31/05/2013 12:56

I'm sure if you just let them know that everyone makes a round of tea's during the day, they will just get on with it.

Probably far to scared to just go and do it and get the Hmm who do you think you are looks.

Most of these young people have never been in a work environment before and are scared shitless of what to do and not to do. It is your job to 'guide' them. I expect most are absolutely lovely.

meglet · 31/05/2013 12:57

We have tea rounds in my office and I hate it. Some people make the most awful tea Angry - even dunking the milk and tea bag in at the same time and using skimmed milk. Bloody criminal.

I'm so much happier having control of my tea making.

theoriginalandbestrookie · 31/05/2013 12:57

I wouldn't expect them to notice, so I would point it out to them, but make sure that you include the bit about it impressing people with their willingness rather than being a menial task.

I remember when I was younger I was rather full of myself, also I didn't drink a lot of tea then, so it wouldn't have occurred to me to do this, if it was pointed out to me in a nice way then I would do it.

K8Middleton · 31/05/2013 12:57

"a work experience" Hmm

If I detected even a hint of that attitude towards me you'd be making your own tea.

MyNameIsSuz · 31/05/2013 12:59

All you have to do is on their first day just casually spell it out - "oh by the way, we all take it in turns to make the tea". It's not always obvious as it doesn't work that way everywhere (at my office, for example, we all trot off together to make our own tea and chat in the kitchen) but i think if you've spent all day being made tea by everyone else you'd have to be pretty unobservant not to figure it out!

kim147 · 31/05/2013 12:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

HabbaDabba · 31/05/2013 13:00

Where I work everyone, from the office junior to the six figure salary closers get their own tea/coffee so Hmm Hmm at those who expect others to get their drinks for them.

Sadly a lot of youngsters are so desperate to break into the media industry that companies can get away with offering 'work experience' placements where the candidate's main duties seem to be making tea for everyone, getting people's lunches and doing photocopying.

If this what the kids want then fine but it is a bit off for the OP to complain about the kids not being dynamic enough to make her tea without her having to ask for one.

HabbaDabba · 31/05/2013 13:02

Just spotted the 'everyone has made a round today' comment so apologies for my remark OP Blush

PoppyWearer · 31/05/2013 13:03

Do young 'uns drink tea these days?

I worked in the City several billion years ago and even then it was all about the coffee runs to Starbucks etc. I don't recall many people making tea...

I never used to offer unless a more senior person gave me money to go for the coffees, I couldn't afford to buy a round.

Ilikethebreeze · 31/05/2013 13:04

Do they want to impress and get a good cv, or dont they?

Yanbu

You would hope they were observant, a team player, and even dare I say it, able and willing to "lower" themselves a bit.

You know, they could even stay late. It can be amazing what you can learn after the majority have gone home.

Network, make a good impression. I could go on and on.

miemohrs · 31/05/2013 13:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Wheresmycaffeinedrip · 31/05/2013 13:05

They r there to gain experience in the work place not make you tea all day. If they wanted to do that they'd have asked for work experience in costa!

Just because they are young and free Doesnt mean they are anyone's slave.

Wheresmycaffeinedrip · 31/05/2013 13:06

If its part of an office ritual
Then just tell them. They won't have a clue other wise.

TheToysAreALIVEITellThee · 31/05/2013 13:06

Wow sounds like a brill company you work for. They're more likely to get taken on if they make a brew?! They'll have a lucky escape if they don't get taken on tbh if thats one of the deciding factors and not their work output. Sounds like my previous place where we were told if we made the Director a brew he's more likely to give you commission Shock

Boomba · 31/05/2013 13:08

younger people generally drink less tea than older people huh?

they probably arent even thinking about tea, before someone is making another round

TheToysAreALIVEITellThee · 31/05/2013 13:08

and if its their first job they might not realise its the 'done' thing to reciprocate, so if its really that important just say "oy, your turn to brew!" and make a bit of a joke about it.

sunshinedaisies · 31/05/2013 13:09

Out of interest, what would the etiquette be for 'a work experience' who hated tea and all hot drinks and never drank it? Would they still be expected to make the tea?

I did some office work experience a few years ago and didn't make the tea because I never drink it and it just didn't occur to me. I was also very shy and didn't really have the confidence to jump up and ask if anyone wanted tea, and I would have been worried about getting it wrong for different people/using the wrong milk/making a rubbish cup of tea as the last time I made tea was about 7 years ago. I hope that didn't look really rude Blush

lborolass · 31/05/2013 13:10

What's wrong with someone on work experience getting their hands dirty by making teas and photocopies? Some young people nowadays can have an attitude that they know it all and such things are beneath them.

As parents we should make sure that if they are going into an office environment they know to look around see the way it works and show willing. It doesn't matter if your workplace operates differently, part of work life is being a good team member whatever the specifics of an individual job are.

Boomba · 31/05/2013 13:10

doing work experience is the most excruciating thing. Its usual ok for the confident/gregarious types (who arent always the best workers mind)....but for those lacking in confidence, it is hell.......I absolutely feel for them

morethanpotatoprints · 31/05/2013 13:13

YANBU

By old standards i.e (mine) work experience were expected to make the tea. Obviously if it is an environment where people share, they should notice this and take their turn as we did.
I don't think that young people think they are too good to make the tea, I just think the education system involves spoon feeding them making them unable to think for themselves. Unlike my day. Grin

ToysRLuv · 31/05/2013 13:14

Ok, YANBU, but only if someone has actually told the new person where the tea making equipment is, how everything works (is the milk in the fridge for everyone, do you pay something weekly for your tea or is it free, etc.), and also that they are free to use it at any point of the day (if that is the case).

I'd be scared to overstep the boundaries for example by using someone else's milk (horror of horrors!) or having the audacity to stop the job I have been given to complete that day in order to make rounds of tea (could be seen as laziness and avoidance of the "real" work).. Every place where I have ever worked has been completely different in their approach to tea/coffee making, so, please make sure someone's made the new person know about how it all works in your office!

caramelwaffle · 31/05/2013 13:14

Drinking tea/coffee is a social nicety and actually, workwise, unnecessary.

Photocopying/putting away stock/stacking etc papers is work.

Flobbadobs · 31/05/2013 13:15

Maybe they are too busy to, you know gain experience in the workplace to read your mind and know that they are expected to put the kettle on?
Trying to remember what gets filed where, how to find your way around the place, who is who etc.
a quiet word or a "your turn next time" should do the trick.

thepestinthevest · 31/05/2013 13:15

YANBU although the young person may be oblivious to it as a workplace social etiquette if it is their first experience of work.

As Ilikethebreeze said, I don't think it is a menial task to offer and make brews. It is a good ice breaker and shows willingness to communicate with others and show some productivity, especially when they might not have much work to do, rather than sitting in a corner playing angry birds or on facebook on their phone. This never gives a good impression.

Making a brew is a good chance to get their face known and casually ask if anyone needs any help with anything. Chances are they then might get more work sent their way that might be a little bit more exciting than milk and one sugar.

EugenesAxe · 31/05/2013 13:15

YANBU in the context you've described. Everyone else does it; if they want 'experience' of working in an office they should adopt the social norms. Having said that, I agree with sunshine that I wouldn't expect it if they never partook when another person went.

If you were expecting them to do it just because they were junior... then YWBBU.