FAMILY JOINS JOB PROCESS
RELATIVES’ DECISION-MAKING INFLUENCES JOB OUTCOMES, WRITES LAUREN AHWAN
FAMILIES are having a greater influence on the job choices of their loved ones as employees rethink their priorities following the pandemic.
In what is believed to be an Australian-first, confectioner Mars Wrigley is allowing family members of prospective workers to ask questions during the interview process to determine whether the company fits with their home lifestyle.
The move comes amid research that reveals three quarters of Aussie workers rely on their partner’s opinion when deciding to move jobs.
Three in five workers feel guilty about time spent away from family while at work, according to the research commissioned by Mars Wrigley and involving non-company employees.
More than half say they have missed an important family event due to work.
ENSURING THE RIGHT FIT
Mars Wrigley introduced its Loved Ones Interview last month, whereby partners, children, extended family or close friends can ask questions during the interview process to assess whether the role is a good fit for the candidate.
People and organisation director Katy Halliwell says questions received from the partners of interviewees have focused on company culture, particularly flexible working arrangements.
Children ask, “Will mum or dad be able to finish work at 4.30pm on Wednesdays to come and watch me at soccer training?’’ Halliwell says.
“Sometimes our loved ones ask more pointed questions and they get to the heart of what really matters to them as a family unit (better than the candidate would),” she says.
“It’s hard going through interviews and changing jobs so people are looking for way more information about a company than they were in the past to make sure … it’s a job that will fit for them.’’
WHAT TO ASK
Top Job Coaching principal consultant Lynda Bundock believes Loved One Interviews will be adopted elsewhere, noting companies that rate as Australia’s best workplaces typically encourage employees to pursue a work-life balance.
She says interview questions to ask include how much flexibility and work from home is available in the role, how much travel is required and the company’s views on pay equity and autonomy, as well as its willingness to provide time off for family events.
“Those questions should request specific examples or case studies of where the company is actually demonstrating its commitment to family friendly practices (and are) walking the walk instead of just talking about it,’’ Bundock says.
BEWARE DISCRIMINATION
Diversity and inclusion expert Cathy Ngo warns inviting family members into the recruitment process could reveal too much about a candidate’s personal life, potentially leading to discrimination.
“People have bias and it’s prevalent in recruitment,’’ Ngo says.
“Unless you know the hiring manager, (having family members involved means) you may open yourself up to potential discrimination.’’
Mars Wrigley says the information obtained during Loved One Interviews will not impact the outcome of a candidate’s application for a role at the company.
HOME LIFE IS THE PRIORITY
A career is important to Kathryn Pearce but family will always come first. The mother-of-two, who is pregnant with her third child, says her family was an important factor when it came to accepting a director’s role with Mars Wrigley.
“While my career ambition remains incredibly important to me, my priorities have naturally evolved as I became a mum,’’ Pearce says.
“If my children had any concerns about a potential job opportunity presented to me, I would take these into strong consideration and ultimately choose what is best for them and our family.’’
Pearce started in her position not long after her second child was born.
She and husband Luke, who was also starting a new role at the time, had several discussions about “ensuring we could both continue to pursue our career goals but, most importantly, ensure our home and family continued to thrive’’.
While Pearce was hired before the Loved Ones Interviews were introduced, she has no doubts about what her family would have asked, given the opportunity.
“If I was interviewing at Mars Wrigley today, I think my children would like to know if I can be there to pick them up from school, can I watch them play their sports (and) could I even help in the canteen like other parents do,’’ she says.
“But above also else, they’d also ask how much chocolate I can bring them home each week!’’