Supervisory Skills to Manage Teenagers
by Marcia Robinson Wednesday, April 13, 2011
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Many employers rely on teenage workers for part time help at work. Supervisors who manage teenagers in the workplace understand that to be successful, this group of workers requires special management support. This is especially true for first-time teenage employees. Managers with the right blend of supervisory skills to manage, train and support teenage workers, can realize the benefits of a motivated teenage workforce.
Supervisors that manage teenagers must know the law
One supervisory skill needed to manage teenagers at work is ability to read and understand federal and state laws governing teenage employment. YouthRules!, developed by the Department of Labor, is the state law guide for working teenagers. Supervisors who manage teenagers at work must observe and understand basic rules about workplace issues such as the type of equipment a teenager can use in the workplace, age limits for scheduling and tasks.
Supervisors who manage teenagers must reserve training time on workplace protocols
Some teenagers are very professional in the workplace, especially if they worked before. However, if this is a first time a teenager is working, supervisors must make sure there is time for training. Not only do teenagers require training on job tasks, they also require training on basic office protocols. Supervisors who manage teenagers shouldn't assume these workers know how to handle basic assignments like working with customers, time management and answering telephones in a professional manner. Supervisors who build in time to train teenagers understand that improper training of teenagers could cost the company money, instead of helping the company grow.
Supervisors need to teach teenagers about the value of work
Teenagers at work often need supervisory assistance to understand how their assinged job tasks fit into company operations. Supervisors, who manage teenagers at work, must be able to teach teenagers about the bigger context for the work they do. A good supervisor will explain the big picture to working teens so they understand how their jobs ultimately impacts their paycheck.
Teenagers can be full of ideas and energy. With the right supervisory skills, managers can motivate teenagers to bring their energy and ideas into the workplace. I know good supervisors who have encouraged teenage workers to share ideas about how to improve processes, market services to teenagers and to recommend other teenagers for employment.
Teenagers who work with managers who have these supervisory skills will grow into reliable and engaged professionals.
Supervisors that manage teenagers must know the law
One supervisory skill needed to manage teenagers at work is ability to read and understand federal and state laws governing teenage employment. YouthRules!, developed by the Department of Labor, is the state law guide for working teenagers. Supervisors who manage teenagers at work must observe and understand basic rules about workplace issues such as the type of equipment a teenager can use in the workplace, age limits for scheduling and tasks.
Supervisors who manage teenagers must reserve training time on workplace protocols
Some teenagers are very professional in the workplace, especially if they worked before. However, if this is a first time a teenager is working, supervisors must make sure there is time for training. Not only do teenagers require training on job tasks, they also require training on basic office protocols. Supervisors who manage teenagers shouldn't assume these workers know how to handle basic assignments like working with customers, time management and answering telephones in a professional manner. Supervisors who build in time to train teenagers understand that improper training of teenagers could cost the company money, instead of helping the company grow.
Supervisors need to teach teenagers about the value of work
Teenagers at work often need supervisory assistance to understand how their assinged job tasks fit into company operations. Supervisors, who manage teenagers at work, must be able to teach teenagers about the bigger context for the work they do. A good supervisor will explain the big picture to working teens so they understand how their jobs ultimately impacts their paycheck.
Teenagers can be full of ideas and energy. With the right supervisory skills, managers can motivate teenagers to bring their energy and ideas into the workplace. I know good supervisors who have encouraged teenage workers to share ideas about how to improve processes, market services to teenagers and to recommend other teenagers for employment.
Teenagers who work with managers who have these supervisory skills will grow into reliable and engaged professionals.
