07/04/2016

The case has been made that parents have responsibility for the problems emerging with Gen Y employees in the workplace.

In the blog (http://kimacworth-recruitloop.com.au/y-its-your-fault-parents-y-gens/) some typical behaviours employers experience were discussed. They were –

– need to be told what to do next, lacking initiative.
– take sick leave at the slightest sniffle, sense of entitlement.
– expect the manager’s job without making an effort, self-righteous attitude.

This blog will explore these issues from a psychological point of view to gain some insight into the 3 common mistakes parents make that might contribute to these behaviours.

As parents it’s important to cultivate a “growth mindset”. A growth mindset is when we believe that intelligence and talent can be increased and changed with life experience. That is…the more effort you make the more challenges to take on more success you have.

In contrast parents often do the opposite and actually reinforce a “fixed mindset”. A fixed mindset is when we believe we are born with a certain amount of intelligence and talent that doesn’t change much over a life. That is…making an effort and taking on challenges does not contribute to the level of success we have in life!

So, as parents it is important to promote a healthy mindset. You can do this by going and finding out your own fundamental beliefs about success and then learning to cultivate a growth mindset.

You can check whether you’re promoting a mindset that helps or hinders your child in the workplace by reading the 3 common mistakes parents make which promote a fixed mindset and then thinking about your own behaviour.

Mistake #1 Believe we are born with a certain amount of intelligence and talent which can’t really be changed over time.

Mistake #2 Use praise which promotes fixed mindset such as “you are very very smart” instead of “you are very very dedicated to practising”.

Mistake #3 Focus just on the end result instead of focusing on the process of what you’re doing (i.e. effort!!)

Kate Down is a behavioural scientist and Associate member of Australian Psychological Society, who specialises in social and emotional intelligence and rational thinking. Her passion is fueled by the belief ‘people power people’ and the mission to enhance the quality of life of 1, 000, 000 people across the globe by 2020 through inspiring real conversation on real life issues.

What do you study?
Bachelor of Business Management (Human Resources) at the University of Queensland

Why intern at RecruitLoop?
I wanted to intern for RecruitLoop as I found the approach to recruitment quite unique compared to competitors within the industry. I also find recruitment to be a particular area of interest within the field of HR.

What are your duties at RecruitLoop?
Although I have just started my internship, so far I have done a lot of application screening and applicant short listing, I have also compiled and posted job ads and prepared other recruitment documents.

Do you work part-time?
I work on a casual basis for Coles in the Deli.

Are you heavily involved in uni life?
Somewhat, as I am a member of the University of Queensland Business Association, which provides me with a wide variety of activities including networking, educational and social events.

What do you get up to on the weekend?
I tend to work most weekends, but whenever I have the free time I enjoy travelling back to the Sunshine Coast to visit family and take my two dogs for walks along the beach. I am also rather partial to a wine and cheese or pamper night in with my friends and housemates.

Last week I launched the first in my “Y” Gen blog series…. “Y” The Bad Rap. Well now I’m putting myself in the hot seat by saying that I firmly believe that parents are to blame for the attitudes and motivations of the Y Generation…… both the good and the bad.

Mum and Dad do not do their children any long term favours by paying for everything, having them live at home as adults- rent free, still doing their washing and cooking their food, and not actively encouraging them to get a job…. let alone to stick with it.

The ultimate goal as a parent is to raise our children to be able to lead happy, successful and fulfilling lives as adults. So you need to be looking at your actions and behaviours that will influence this outcome.

Will your child lead a happy, successful and fulfilling life without stable employment? I strongly doubt it.

Does a business owner want to employ someone who is always on their phone with Facebook and Instagram….or uses up their sick leave at the first sign of a sniffle or a head ache….. or has to be told what to do next every time they’ve finished a task????? This is a definite NO!!!

Employers are frustrated and annoyed by what they describe as the self-righteous attitude of the Y Generation. The common place is for these employees to be clock watchers, unreliable, lack initiative and expect to work their way into the Manager’s seat within 12 months…..or at least to be earning their salary.

As I mentioned last week, I have found a revitalised faith that there are still some exceptional Y Generation people that will and do make great employees….. the unpaid university Interns that have come to work with me have been completing full-time University studies (often double degrees) while working casual paid jobs… and still finding the time to do industry work experience.

I can guarantee you that these people will be at the top of any employers shortlist compared to someone who has completed their degree without ever having held a job or even completed an industry experience placement.

So back to you as a parent….. it is your responsibility to prepare your teenagers and young adults for the workforce….. and the sooner you instil those “employer desirable qualities” the better they will be.

This means stop mollycoddling your kids and have them undertake casual jobs while finishing high school, Tafe and University….. McDonalds, Hungry Jacks, Woolworths etc all teach them about the value of a pay packet (well that’s what it was once called), being punctual and reliable and dealing with customers.

I’ll be posting some tips and tricks for parents later in the week……so keep your eye out.

Make sure you’re following on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/RecruitLoop-Kim-Acworth-185674054963527/?fref=ts) as I’ll share some other great tips and information.