RoyalWithChz
112634
1077
35
I’ve never hired someone her age and I want to be an equal opportunity employer for obvious reasons. She’s really struggling with the POS (point of sale), but she’s making some progress there. The one thing I am super worried about is her taking the Togo orders that come through our three tablets (Uber Eats, Door Dash, and Grub Hub). She’s just not getting it because she’s never really used a tablet before and she barely uses her phone. I honestly have no idea how to train her there and was hoping someone on here had any ideas.
CaptainSomebody
We all sucked at using tech once, they'll learn soon enough. Probably.
manamongstyou
Keep at it. My wife had to do this with a coworker. They had strong skills but not in tech, took a while but they're very good now.
dicktrickle60142
Have patience with her. That might be you one day.
Kelleesii
Are there any FE colleges in your area offering Essential digital skills or functional skills support to low income individuals?
JustAFlamingoInDisguise
Some really good advice below. Patience, repetition, and positive reinforcement are really important. It may take longer, but they'll get it
Iwishbettywhitewaspresident
That's why it is hard for older people to find jobs and yet they need the jobs to live coz they don't make enough money.
ghostofGracchusBabeuf
I have an idea or two: get her familiar with using the apps by placing and filling or canceling orders. Have her write the orders out on 1/
ghostofGracchusBabeuf
2/ On paper, so sorta like flash cards for the app. Take screenshots or recordings for reference. Hopefully she can learn. If not, then…
iameddieX
Dishes?
Myothercarisadelorean
Is she reliable? Hard working? Professional? If yes, be patient she will get there eventually, then she will be a huge asset in the future.
muyrhrwhj80
ArturoRobertoVelasquezDonGato
I've talked to multiple people from my mum's generation who used to bike behind the ddt trucks because they liked the smell.
ArturoRobertoVelasquezDonGato
Just saying, I'm glad our blood has micro-plastics and 5G instead.
Mashedkeys
Why did hire her then?
Mashedkeys
Presumably doesn't meet the job experience requirements
PikaChunin
Draw out the screens she can expect to use on paper and write instructions on it. The most difficult part of most tech is no study material.
PikaChunin
The device is what's scary, not what she needs to learn. Knowledge grows confidence. Be patient; good luck!
SilverFoxChaser
if possible setup scenarios with real processes and work through them with her. If not then you're going to have to coach in real time.
SilverFoxChaser
Might be worthwhile to make a flowchart and laminate it too since you're doing POS.
talkstospoons
I really have no help that hasn't been suggested but just wanted to say thank you for giving her a chance!!
spanielsarethebestdogs
Write it down. It will be painful at first, but having a step by step guide is important long term. Also, describe shapes not function (1/2)
spanielsarethebestdogs
For the different things she needs to click. Don’t say “menu” say “square with the three dots in the top right corner”. (2/2)
TheJinxedPhoenix
Or screenshots (printed out)of how the screen should look at each stage. Helped my elderly neighbour.
quietwalker
Focus on process, not understanding. Some older people don't want to learn "how it works," but they can follow step-by-step. For example:
quietwalker
quietwalker
a mental block, telling themselves, "It is too complicated, I won't understand it" and then will ensure they don't understand it.
SeanWick
Hired a guy that said he was proficient with AutoCAD “years of experience”. Asked him on day 1 to “ctrl-z” and he didn’t know what that was.
SeanWick
Like, didn’t even know what it did. My boss said “no big deal”, 6 months later I tell my boss to pay me 2 checks if I’m working 2 jobs.
SeanWick
We will soon have an opening. I got a little raise for my troubles so it was all worth it.
BIC777
Patiently?
WrathOfJigglypuff
Minebadger
Careful on that, if she’s already old she might turn to dust if you wait
Tricorder
Agunslingerborn
Not the younglings!
BichoDePe
Tried to teach my octogenarian father to use his computer & feel your pain. What scares me is that someday I'll be that other person.
Feralkyn
I think we can keep up with modern tech now by virtue of constant exposure to it via the internet. + age isn't necessarily the factor! My
Feralkyn
in-laws learned tech very smoothly; my parents did not. One set's setting up remote webcam servers & the other is accidentally installing
Feralkyn
every malware on the planet while trying to access internet explorer in 2022.
beenpostingsince
Can you schedule her to be in to work before/after the place is open, so that you can have her work the machines without customers rushing -
beenpostingsince
and counting on service? Even having her come in late and stay after an hour of her normal times just to practice it in a test mode where
beenpostingsince
people aren't waiting or being inconvenienced and she's under no pressure and can just look at it.
Ittybittybroad
I'm sure the slow times would be good for that also.
Cucumberclouds
And help her make a cheat sheet with the steps when she’s doing this so she can get the sequence correct.
Ittybittybroad
I'm in my 30s and I LOVE cheat sheets
MissivesFromTheTower
With all the handhelds and touchscreen devices, I feel as if some has crippled me. I need my keys, the way to right click, the way to see ->
MissivesFromTheTower
-> into the memory,the way to see, damn it.Handhelds and touchscreens feel to me as if I'm trading godlike powers for something not worth it
MissivesFromTheTower
I get it that when in retail you need speed,ease,and functionality.You're not building a spaceship while juggling live kittens and chainsaws
MissivesFromTheTower
All that being said, kudos for you @OP for being patient with your employee.
storebrandproductmascot
I have no idea what any of this means.
MissivesFromTheTower
Just chose a wrong place to rant, I guess. The gist of it - I dislike touchscreen tech, because I feel it disempowers me.
drcurlyfat
Man, I feel this. I’ve embraced touchscreens for the most part, but having 4 teenagers just emphasizes how little people know about HOW /
drcurlyfat
/ things work. And without that, they can’t troubleshoot anything at all. I’m 49, and grew up in a computer-using family, but it’s weir /
drcurlyfat
/ that I’m “tech support” for some 14-18 YOs. Aren’t they supposed to be helping ME figure out tech problems?? Lol!
drcurlyfat
Oops, typo. I’m “only” 40.
iidky
You gotta use positive reinforcement. Everytime she does something right, give her a treat. She'll catch on quickly.
GoodOleBunburyist
This is the only way with my mom.
beziot
You should randomly be kind / kick her, and yell NEW TECHNOLOGY !
verganas
If that doesn't work just bump her on the head with a newspaper or spray wster to her
PrincessJimmyCarter
A random reinforcement schedule is more effective. Don't reward her every time. Do reward her, but on an unpredictable schedule.
thatsmeinanutshell
billycakers
Werther's originals only
PhailRaptor
A clicker might be more effective in the environmental context
PMmeYourFeetLadies
Stats like positive feedback may be misleading. https://youtu.be/1tSqSMOyNFE It can just be due to having multiple attempts.
WrathOfJigglypuff
And do what we did at tech support for a large company. Cattle prods for repeat offenders. They learn real fast.
butthurtnevergetsbetter
I have heard servers call it a piece of shit more often than a point of sale system.
DuelingBrothers
EPOS tech here, yea both acronyms are correct.
PhailRaptor
Since they were all designed on a lowest-bidder approach...
whatsisname
Not necessarily, the market is competitive, and companies like Square, Toast, etc pay a lot of cash to developers.
youcancallmesusanifitmakesyouhappy
Half the time it is a piece of shit system, i worked in a dozen different restaurants, maybe 2 had decent user friendly ones
swedeonamoose
Great when it works, not so great when you have to restart the damn thing 10 times in one hour.
The3rdwheel
have her shadow somebody for a bit . she will eventually catch on
RoyalWithChz
These are all the things I’ve been doing. She’s doing her best, but there’s still some disconnect I can’t figure out. I’m trying, tho!
nominalaeon
Came here to suggest this!
HappyPetunia
Better would be her doing the task with someone watching her so when she gets stuck, she can get unstuck right away. (1/2)
HappyPetunia
Easier to remember something you’ve done than something you’ve only seen someone else do.
Bryllyg
Active learning! Maybe even consider role reversal once she's starting to get the hang of it - have her try to teach someone else.
HappyPetunia
That is a great way to confirm that you know something!
JocieCat
Also give her a notebook to take notes. It helps some people to see and write processes.
HappyPetunia
It’s been shown that physically writing something down helps you to remember it better than even typing it.
fedeColorTerror
I've done this since I was 15 and I had my first job. I can't remember anything for a long time if I don't write down every step.
BBQatCirces
I've trained LOTS of seniors on using new technology. The biggest hurdle is getting them to not be afraid of making mistakes. IME, they 1/
DatGringo
Unless you have a proven method of training or a ton of free time; you need to decide if thats the best use of your time
ImguritisIsNotCureable
My coworkers do this! They freeze up because they're afraid of messing up & just give up
Subaruislife
Works with my classes. The less afraid you are, the more you learn.
freckledkink
Yep. Plus, the instructions written and a notebook so she can add her own notes later and others can as well. I had one job with a
freckledkink
Complicated system and every employee had a notebook to help us out and we could redeems others' notes if needed.
meteorcow
I have to say I really like your username. That's a solid reference
BBQatCirces
Thank you!
Charlawilliams70
My parents! They are terrified to ruin the technology. They don't realize it has gotten pretty idiot proof.
minqapoc
There's always an idiot ready to challenge that.
Charlawilliams70
Sure but I don't see my parents getting into the code
MildlyConcernedTV
Real question: I have an elder employee and she’s starting to show signs of dementia, she’s been deteriorating for months. Any advice?
BBQatCirces
Eh...That's a little outside my scope, I think. Maybe have that discussion with her and just let her know you're concerned? Kinda touchy...
AGrammeIsBetterThanADamn
At some point they put up a brain block: "oh, this is a smart thing, I don't know anything about those smart things" then refuse to learn
AGrammeIsBetterThanADamn
It's the same reason a lot of people don't learn math: "oh, this is math, I hate math"
Feralkyn
I wish ppl wouldn't say shit like this b/c I thought that's what I was subconsciously doing and hated myself for it until I found out I have
Feralkyn
an actual math learning disorder (dyspraxia w/ dyscalculia). Support, don't insult.
carlsagansghost
People don’t learn math because it’s often poorly explained by STEM people who suck at communicating.
AGrammeIsBetterThanADamn
by and large the practitioners of math are not the ones teaching math, until about the middle of college
AGrammeIsBetterThanADamn
well, in the foundational years when math-walls go up, it's actually explained by degreed educators who suck at a job that underpays them
singedrino
I hate math because dyscalculia... so maybe I don't hate math but I cannot stand my mistakes. Dumb numbers moving around to drive me crazy
amanofmellowcharacter365
Word. Way back when I would get so anxious counting change for the bus I'd just walk instead.
Gibleteousjack
My mother was always just afraid of breaking a computer. Once I convinced her it could be fixed she got over it super quick.
DigYourselfBaby
Yes. It's really just reading pages. Comprehension gets quicker when the intimidation is removed. :)
ADDGirl
My mom seems convinced there is a button that will set the entire computer in on fire.
Gibleteousjack
I had a guy at the repair shop that flipped the switch on his power supply from 110 to 220 because he thought it would go faster.
BBQatCirces
are more likely to overthink something simple and freeze up than they are to make any kind of serious error. Be patient, be understanding,2/
CreepyPhlox
Also, put the process in writing. They’re used to reading instructions. It may slow her down initially but it’ll get easier for her in time.
strongseth
Their first intro to computers, one typo could break everything, or at least set back hours worth of work.
grandopening
I work with professors with this mindset. They don’t trust the safety measures built into programs these days.
knowallknownothing
I don’t trust the save button I just clicked and still click “yes” on “do I want to save” when I immediately close after saving.
BBQatCirces
and give her as much support as you can. It might take a couple weeks for her to really internalize the software. 3/3
IMissZach
This is a great response.
drmuelr
My geriatric ass is already experiencing this with new apps. I just don't click/tap with the reckless abandon that I did in my younger days.
RoyalWithChz
I’m definitely gonna keep the allowing mistakes thing in mind. I always do and I routinely tell my staff that “it’s just food and drink”.
ptothedubs
This. A lot of what they struggle with is not having the intuition we have. Give them LOTS of practice orders and write the steps on paper.
RoyalWithChz
That was the name of the game the last two training shifts. Just giving her enough practice orders where she tries everything twice.
MissAgony
Can you make up some orders for her to enter and have her put "nomake" on them? Or have her come in an hr early a couple days so she can
RoyalWithChz
One thing I’m really struggling with is how to give her practice orders with the tablets. Only way I know how to do that is real orders.
cardinal29
I'm surprised there's no online tutorial.
danopotato
Place real orders on a card and void them immediately. I work in payments and as long as you void before your batch out time you’re good
grandopening
THIS IS THE ANSWER!! I have an elder culinary student. One thing that has helped her is a 20-ish friend. That relationship has given —>
grandopening
my older student more confidence with technology. Try pairing your older employee with a younger employee they get along with?