Listen up: Work ethic calls

If there's a silver lining in the storm cloud of the recession, perhaps it's that the sense of entitlement bred and fed during the good times has finally disappeared.

Or has it?

The reality check has been slapped on many an American table. Jobs are not guaranteed, no matter what that piece of parchment from Wherever U says or however long you've labored loyally in the same place. Bountiful benefits have gone on severe diets. And not only are annual raises no longer assured, but many workers have learned to brace for pay cuts.

You hear this every day: "I'm working harder than ever, and earning less." Or its cousin: "We're having to do more with less."

Why, then, do we also hear stories, all too frequently, about poor service rendered by lazy or unprofessional employees? About new workers being ill-equipped and immature? About job applicants showing up late for interviews, wearing inappropriate clothing, texting during an interview or being unable to speak in complete sentences, using "like" as subject, verb and object? If this recession has beat some humility and hunger and competitiveness into us, why do some mask it so cleverly?

All of this is fair game to discuss on Wednesday. From 4 to 5 p.m. at the Post Falls Chamber of Commerce, Lewis-Clark State College CDA is hosting a one-hour event called "Business of Listening." It's a rather revolutionary idea in which those in higher education want to listen to what business people have to say, rather than lecture them on what they want those business people to know.

The folks at Lewis-Clark are asking a couple questions of their own:

• How can we instill a strong work ethic in people entering the workforce?

• What can higher education do to make sure your employees have the right professional communication skills?

The event is open to any business person in the region, regardless of chamber membership. Marc Stewart, a spokesman for L-C CDA, said "Business of Listening" really is a "listening event." It's not a fundraiser and there are no sales pitches.

We applaud Lewis-Clark State College for seeking ways to bridge an important gap between employers' needs and prospective employees' preparations for the workforce. Efforts like this will truly add value to higher education.