A new report by 20 Minuten has found that a number of Swiss entrepreneurs are getting tired of some of their workers’ foul mouths, bad attitudes, and, in some cases, bad smells. To help, some companies have been sending their younger workers to “etiquette training” in order to better integrate them into the workforce.
“According to statements from training companies, there is a need for specific training with regard to basic behaviour in the workplace. Some learners obviously lack the necessary basic skills,” Lukas Alt, Managing Director of Fit4School, told the newspaper. He noted that while most graduates of primary and secondary schools are competent, some young people, especially apprentices, can lack basic mathematics and language skills as they join the workforce.
According to Marc Sherrer, Head of the Competence Centre for Vocational Training in Canton Basel-Land, “Many trainees don’t have basic skills, such as a confident demeanour when dealing with customers.” Some also do not dress appropriately on the job, and when it comes to manners, Sherrer told 20 Minuten that many still need to “understand that they have to deal differently with superiors and customers than with their peers."
Christine Frey, district administrator in Canton Basel-Land, argued that children are too spoilt at home and therefore don’t understand the rules that apply to them while working. “For example, I have to remind my learners to push back the chair or put the used glasses in the kitchen. A trial learner lounged around in his chair as if he were playing a game,” she noted.
Upon the request of a number of companies in Switzerland, Fit4School will offer an etiquette course starting in the spring. Some of the things participants will learn are:
Participants will learn via discussion, role plays and video analysis. Once the course is over, the instructor will give each person detailed feedback on their performance in each area.
In concluding his statement, Alt said that training the next generation to be good employees is vital: "It's important to support apprentices. Especially since we have a shortage of skilled workers, we need to properly train the human resources that are available to us."