Bosses Like Staff Young And Cheap
The Sunday Age
Sunday June 20, 1999
Are you under 21 and want a job? Then you need to be enthusiastic, motivated, willing to learn, outgoing and flexible, with an understanding of technology, according to employers.
But most importantly, you need to be cheap. Junior wages are the biggest incentive for employers to hire young workers, according to a study by third-year RMIT students for the Victorian Trades Hall Council.
The study surveyed employers and employer bodies and found cost, not skill, was the main influence on an employer's decision to employ a young person.
The RMIT students interviewed retail, manufacturing and fast-food companies.
Companies were asked what characteristics they looked for when employing staff, and what effect the abolition of junior rates would have on their company.
It showed most retail and food businesses did not view age as a key factor when recruiting staff, but if junior rates were abolished they would prefer the more mature applicant. The car manufacturing industries did not use junior rates and based wages on skill and qualifications.
The study found the reasons bosses shied away from hiring young people was a perceived lack of maturity and skills among young people. They were also seen as having little loyalty to their employer, despite receiving expensive training.
Coles Myer said the abolition of junior rates would ``add in excess of $100 million to the cost of our business".
Employer groups did acknowledge the unique qualities young people bring to work, such as ``enthusiasm and energy, knowledge of technology, physical fitness, and a willingness to do the job".
The report was commissioned in response to the current junior wages inquiry held by the Australian Industrial Relations Commission. The commission's final draft is expected to be tabled in Parliament before the end of this month.
Trades Hall's assistant secretary, Ms Natalie Sykes, said the unions wanted a report done by young people, affected by junior rates, after the commission ruled out hearing from young people.
© 1999 The Sunday Age