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Engaging Young Workers

Creating a space where young people want to work can improve retention, strengthen outreach and recruitment efforts, and benefit our members, their employers and our union. Review our guidance on engagement strategies and explore the tabs below to learn more.

Creating Welcoming Spaces from the Workplace to the Union Hall

Workers who are engaged in their careers and in our union can strengthen public services and our membership base. Young workers can thrive when they are welcomed in their workplace and our union. Welcoming spaces help cultivate their sense of belonging and foster your engagement with young workers. And positive work environments can improve retention and work quality — outcomes that can benefit our members, their employers and our union.  

Prioritizing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) within workplaces and our union can help create welcoming environments for our current and future members. Approaching DEI work collaboratively allows you to engage our members on topics such as implicit bias and accessibility in the workplace. Consider developing an equity committee if no DEI initiatives are underway. In either case, connect with your Area Field Services Director (AFSD) about your interests and goals.

Four boxes with titles are aligned horizontally and are connected with arrows from left to right. From left to right the boxes read 1. Consider existing DEI intiatives -- look within your union and workplaces you represent. 2. Connect with IU Field Staff -- Your AFSD can provide resources and align you with DEI goals in your region. 3. Union Involvement -- Support initiatives within your union or involve your union in employer efforts. 4. Youth Involvement -- Prioritize youth input to improve DEI efforts and help young workers feel engaged.

Inclusion Across Strategies

Improving inclusivity in the workplace may be especially impactful for young workers who are more likely than older workers to feel unsupported because of their identity. Be creative and collaborative in your efforts to welcome young workers. Utilize engagement strategies to create welcoming environments and consider tailoring parts of your New Employee Outreach (NEO) to meet the needs of young workers by integrating resources or incorporating peer-to-peer connection in your follow-ups. Whether strengthening your NEO program or investing in DEI initiatives, your efforts to create more welcoming spaces at work and within our union will benefit ALL members. 

For guidance on developing or enhancing NEO programs, email research@afscme.org.  

What do Young Workers Need to Succeed?

Engaging young workers goes beyond connecting youth to public service careers. Young workers can thrive when they feel supported and welcomed in the workplace, so ask, “What do young workers need to succeed as an AFSCME member and in their career field?” As an AFSCME representative, you already have experience supporting workers on a range of issues. Young workers benefit from our union’s support on many of these same issues but may also seek guidance on other topics. For instance, young workers may have limited job experience and therefore be unfamiliar with worker protections and workplace norms. Our union’s support strategies and topics can expand or shift to meet the needs of young workers. Consider offering resources and educating stewards on topics such as…

A young woman with chest length, straight dark hair wearing a white button up shirt stands to the left of a man with short, straight dark hair who is wearing jeans, glasses and a brown button up shirt. He holds a folder that they both are looking at

Workplace Norms

  • Written and verbal communication
  • Paycheck basics & accessing benefits
  • How/when to connect with HR
  • How/when to connect with your union steward
  • Identifying and addressing discrimination and inequality

Worker Rights

  • Health & Safety
  • Equal Opportunity and Anti-Discrimination
  • State & Federal Youth Labor Laws
  • Accommodations & Disability Resources (medical or religious)

Offer Support & Address Barriers

Two young women sit on a couch. On the left, a young woman with dark braids wears a white shirt and glasses and faces the other woman, who has short brown hair. She wears glasses and a brown sweater and looks at the paper and pencil in her hand while speaking.

Access to this information can help young people navigate the workplace and ultimately thrive in their careers. Talk with young people in the workplace and consider what issues they face and what support they need. Keep in mind, not every issue can be solved with information or training. Young workers may face barriers related to issues like transportation or childcare that challenge them in succeeding in their role. Whenever possible, work with young people to identify and alleviate these barriers. Connect young people with wrap-around supportive services or collaborate with employers to find creative solutions. Creating a network of support helps young workers thrive and allows our union to establish a connection early in a young person’s career.

Create Networks of Support

A large blue circle on the left side of the screen encompasses the words "Young Workers." Three separate lines connect the large circle to three, smaller blue circles on the right. The title of each circle and their accompanying text is below, from top to bottom. 1. Mentors -- Experienced members can provide guidance and answer questions for younger workers. 2. Stewards -- A resource for questions, information, and support. 3. Young Members -- Peer-to-peer connection can engage young workers and increase sense of belonging.

Contact Us

We are here for you! Please contact us if you have a question, concern, or request regarding workforce development.
research@afscme.org