Last week I provided a list of employment regulations for minors, for any of you who plan to hire young workers this summer. But that was just about compliance. This week, let’s talk about how to manage teenage employees.
They’re green, inexperienced and impressionable. Sure, they could become assets to your business but managing teenagers will require you to adjust your communication and coaching style, and to have more patience. Here are some tips:
Teach professionalism and business etiquette:
Teenagers may not have yet developed their work ethic, some may not even be aware of the concept, so this is your chance to teach them the fundamentals. Start with punctuality (showing up on time when scheduled), attendance (coming to work), reliability (consistently doing what’s expected), and how to deal with problems like calling in late or sick.
Don’t assume they’ll know what to do if you tell them to “be courteous”. You have to show them how you expect the phone to be answered; how customers should be greeted; how to acknowledge someone’s presence; how to politely ask them to wait (“I’ll be right with you”).
Set clear, realistic expectations:
Outline what you expect from them in terms of behaviors and results. Be specific. For instance, explain it’s not acceptable to text/talk on their phone or have friends drop by while they’re on the clock. Discuss “what if” work scenarios so they can better understand what’s expected. Clearly explain consequences of not meeting expectations and deliver those consequences promptly and fairly.
Be positive with constructive criticism:
Teenagers are thin-skinned (weren’t we all?), so be kind. When they make a mistake, explain what they did wrong and what they can do to improve it. You may have to repeat this step a few times. Don’t forget to praise/reward when it’s deserved.
Explain the “why”:
They need to know the rationale for certain policies, why things are done a certain way or why you’ve made a particular decision. Bonus, you’ll have more adherence to work rules if they understand the “why”.
Help them grow and learn:
But treat them like adults. This will make it more likely that they’ll conduct themselves like one.
©Copyright Eva Del Rio
