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No one likes to have tough conversations. Talking to a superior about a less-than-ideal or straight-up dangerous workplace situation can spike anxiety in most adults, let alone teenagers. But unfortunately, tough conversations are a necessary evil in life.
In this blog, we’ve got some tips you can bring to your child to make those awkward conversations a little less cringe (as the kids say).
Know what you need to say before you say it
Being prepared can help make the conversation go smoothly and also alleviate anxiety. Help your teen prepare what they want to say to their boss before they say it. You can do this by helping them jot down a few talking points, role-playing the conversation with them, or just chatting it through.
Choose the right time and place to talk about safety
Timing matters — unless there is an immediate danger. Then, speak up as soon as you can.
Otherwise, suggest to your teen that they choose an appropriate time and place to have the conversation with their boss. This way, they’ll avoid catching them off guard or during busy periods. Finding a quiet, private space where they can talk without interruptions can help create a more conducive environment.
Remind them of their worker rights
Educating your teen about their rights is one of the best ways you can protect them on the job. But it can also help to prepare them for awkward conversations about those rights. For example, if your child knows they have the right to speak up without punishment, they’ll feel safer raising issues.
Familiarize yourself with workplace safety laws and then share this information with your child. Social media channels like Safe for Work and the WSIB's #PracticeSafeWork site provide valuable resources for young workers on safety and employee rights.
Encourage documentation
If your teen has safety concerns at work, encourage them to document everything. This includes noting dates, times, locations, and descriptions of any incidents or safety issues they witness or experience.
If someone gets hurt or things escalate in an official manner, documentation can go a long way in proving how things happened. It can also help to point to specific events when your teen is discussing their concerns with their boss.
Practice, practice, practice
Practice makes perfect! Try role-playing with your teen to help them build confidence. You can take on the role of the boss, and your teen can practice how they would bring up safety issues.
Role-playing can help them feel prepared when they’re put on the spot. It’s a great opportunity to flex their right to refusal. Tell them if they’re ever asked to do something that feels a little off, just say no.
Use “I” statements
Emphasize the importance of respectful and constructive communication and try leading by example in your home. Kids often learn by example.
Encourage your teen to use "I" statements to express their concerns. For example, instead of saying, "You're not doing a good job with safety; your wobbly ladder is going to kill someone," they can say, "I feel concerned about the safety of that ladder because it wobbles."
Avoid absolutes
Another way to exercise constructive communication is to avoid absolutes.
Instead of saying, “This always happens,” say, “I noticed this happening at these times.” Words like “always,” “every,” “all the time,” and “never” are best to avoid. Absolutes make your listener want to find exceptions; this can detract from the topic at hand and put your kid’s boss on the defensive.
Keep emotions in check
Emotions can ramp up the stakes of a normal conversation. Encourage them to stay calm, even if the boss' response is not what they expected. Maintaining a positive tone and focusing on finding solutions rather than dwelling on problems can help keep the conversation productive.
Seek solutions, not blame
Emphasize the importance of seeking solutions rather than assigning blame. Tell your kid to try approaching the conversation with the goal of them and their boss working together to improve the situation.
When they come to the conversation with potential solutions to the problem, they’ll have a more productive chat. You can help by brainstorming solutions with your teen if they aren’t clear-cut.
The art of the follow-up
After the conversation, suggest to your teen that they follow up with their boss to ensure that any agreed-upon actions or changes are progressing as planned.
Follow-ups can be especially important if the first conversation is tense or awkward. It gives the other party the opportunity to reflect and realign themselves.