Warren & Hays LLC

Many employers hire seasonal employees during the summer months, and most tend to be teenagers on summer break or young adults home from college.  A teen workforce brings its own unique set of dynamics to the workplace, which can trap the unwary employer in a host of thorny HR and employment law issues.  Taking the time to prepare for a teen-specific orientation is a great first step to meeting these challenges head on.  Some of these workers have never been in the workplace before, so setting some ground rules and expectations can be very helpful.  Employers should convey their corporate culture by covering expectations on everything from workplace etiquette to being on time to whom to speak to if problems arise. 

Not surprisingly, harassment issues frequently arise in the context of teen employees.  Providing some basic training on the employer’s anti-harassment policy and procedures can go a long way toward nipping these problems in the bud, or at least knowing how to deal with them if they arise.

In addition, front line supervisors responsible for the day-to-day management of seasonal workers may not know how to effectively manage them.  Wise employers take the time to educate these supervisors on how to deal with issues that could arise, such as performance problems, interpersonal conflict, lack of professionalism, and harassment/discrimination issues. 

Warren & Hays provides customized training programs both for teenage/young adult employees and their supervisors.