Tips to Make Working With Teens Easier

Tips For How You Can Make Sure Your Teen Employees Are As Productive As Possible.

By
Relationship Advice Expert April Masini

Q: Dear April Masini,

I own a fairly new small gift shop in a downtown area and just hired a few teenagers to work mostly after-school and weekend hours. I don't have much experience working with teenagers and I was wondering if you could give me any advice. I'm a little nervous that they won't be able to handle dealing with customers or will skip work if it's a nice day. I need all of my employees to be responsible and mature. Do you think these teens can handle it?

Sincerely,

Teenager Trouble?

A:

Dear Teenager Trouble?, 

Teenagers sometimes look like adults, but they're not. They don't have the experience or the discipline, usually, that adults have. Don't expect it. But that doesn't mean teenagers can't be excellent workers. Especially, if you need someone to cover those weekend hours nobody else wants to work. Here are some tips to make teen employees most productive.

Working With Teens -- Make It Easier  

* Spell out their schedule, write it down, and post it somewhere for everyone to see. These kids don't usually carry datebooks or electronic calendars -- they need help keeping their hours straight.

* Spell out their duties. This is a good idea for employers, too. It prevents misunderstanding and miscommunication. Post the duties of the employee somewhere so you can both see them. Be clear in your job description. If the job changes, make note of it -- literally.

* Explain exactly what you want them to say to customers. Kids today don't all have the same manners or expectation of manners that kids used to have. If you want your employee to say thank you after every transaction, tell them exactly what you want them to say.

As long as you make your expectations clear to your teenage employees, you shouldn't have too many problems!

April Masini -- nicknamed "the new millennium's Dear Abby" by the media, is author of the best-selling books Date Out Of Your League and Think & Date Like A Man, the two (just released) step-by-step dating and relationship manuals, Ideas for a Fun Date and Romantic Date Ideas, and the critically acclaimed dating and relationship online magazine www.AskApril.com.

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