ways2work - Parents and carers
Settling into work
Generally, employers will expect you to:
- arrive on time
- be honest and reliable
- work diligently, meet deadlines and care about the quality of your work
- follow directions and show initiative
- recognise problems and seek solutions
- be a team player, communicate well and get along with people, especially customers
- be cooperative, have a positive attitude and dress appropriately
What to wear
Unless your job requires you to wear a uniform, choosing the right clothes for work is important. Take note of what others are wearing in the workplace when you go for your interview or have a meeting with your employer to discuss the position.
In some industries there are specific standards, occupational health and safety requirements or dress codes. For workplaces where more casual dress is allowed, clothes and shoes should still be neat and clean and in good condition.
Try to project a professional, competent image, regardless of your career or level of employment.
Week one
Some employers will provide a formal training and orientation program while others may just show you to your work area, introduce you to your workmates and give a brief explanation of your tasks.
First impressions count so:
- take notes, especially of people's names
- go to induction sessions and read any induction documents you are given
- listen more than talk
- show initiative but ask questions and ask for help when you need it
- be friendly and have a positive attitude
- avoid becoming involved in gossip and office politics
- relax, keep an open mind and be yourself
Re-adapting to the workplace
David, a human resources manager with experience in the manufacturing, mining, services and financial sector, has eight top tips for people negotiating those first few weeks back at work.
1. Be prepared for a steep learning curve in your first few days; there will be names to remember, new processes to take in and it will take some time before you feel on top of things. No-one expects you to get everything right in the first week and people will know you are learning the ropes.
2. Rather than come in cold on the first day, it’s a good idea to ask if you can spend a couple of hours observing before you start. You could ask to attend a team meeting or suggest that you have a coffee with the person you are replacing. Looking up an organisation's website is a good way to get up to date and see what's current.
3. Make sure you are mentally and physically prepared to return. You will need to concentrate for long periods of time and in some jobs – hospitality, retail, cleaning, hairdressing and manufacturing – you will need to be on your feet for most of the day.
4. Look after yourself and your colleagues, from an occupational health and safety point of view. New starters are often the most vulnerable to injury at work. Read up on the operating procedures of any equipment you need to use. Ideally this should be part of any induction process but if your supervisor forgets, ask for an induction that includes safety procedures.
5. Once you start, it is a good idea to make sure you have regular meetings with your supervisor to get feedback about your performance. These can be short and informal but it’s a good way to head off any problems.
6. 'The dumb questions are best asked earlier on because people are very forgiving when you are new, rather than six weeks down the track,’ David says. ‘Ask them what they expect from you and get them to tell you if you’re doing anything wrong or if there’s something you need to know.’
7. Get to know your colleagues, they will be your greatest help. In the first few days, introduce yourself to everyone you meet. Take a notebook and write down people’s names and ask your supervisor for a layout map. Take the initiative, ask questions of your colleagues if you’re unsure about anything. Be friendly and smile. If you go to the canteen or make yourself a drink, ask if anyone else wants a coffee.
8. If things are quiet, ask if there is anything you can help out with. Be willing to do the most mundane of tasks.
Finding support
Support will make all the difference to how quickly and successfully you settle in. Depending on the size of the organisation you’re joining, you could seek support from:
- Senior management Talking to senior managers can be valuable for providing the ‘big picture’ context for the job you’re doing. Of course, you might just have an immediate manager if the business is small.
- HR staff In larger organisations, the People or Human Resources (HR) department is often your first point of contact for help with any issues you may be having with your employment.
- Your immediate manager or supervisor This is probably the most crucial person in your work life and the one who will be involved with you from day one. They will introduce your tasks, your co-workers and the physical work environment, will have involvement in your on-the-job training and provide you with guidance and support.
- Your co-workers Your work colleagues may be involved with your on-the-job training and will be your main source of information about the unwritten rules at work. Co-workers will also hopefully be your friends and mentors and offer you positive reassurance and acceptance.
- Specialist training staff In larger organisations and in certain industries, dedicated training staff may provide on-the-job training and support. They will assess your training needs and deliver training to you on such things as compliance, technology or product information.
- Trade Unions Unions can protect you from unfair treatment in the workplace and improve your job security and safety. Visit the ACTU to find out which union represents you.
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