Australian Workplace Culture - Part Three

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+ Australian Workplace Culture A guide for newly arrived migrants © Ursula Walker 2011

description

Helping recent migrants to achieve employment and gain career success - Part Three. You can contact me at http://www.linkedin.com/in/ursulawalker

Transcript of Australian Workplace Culture - Part Three

Page 1: Australian Workplace Culture  - Part Three

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Australian Workplace CultureA guide for newly arrived migrants

© Ursula Walker 2011

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+Session Outline

In this session we will be looking at

Attitudes to Work, Hierarchy and Leadership

Organisational Communication

Achieving Success in the Australian Workplace

Employer Expectations

10 Top Tips for Skilled Migrants © Ursula Walker 2011

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+Attitudes to Work, Hierarchy and Leadership

Australians “work to live” rather than “live to work”

Workplace is not overly formal but there are clear lines of authority and decision-making.

Workers talk on an equal basis with their superiors AND inferiors, often using humour or irreverence.

Promotions tend to be based on merit and seniority.

Being a good “team player” is highly regarded by employers.

© Ursula Walker 2011

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+Organisational Communication

In many countries a“top-down” model of organisational communication is still very common.

Australian organisationstend use a more interactive model.

© Ursula Walker 2011

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+Case Study

© Ursula Walker 2011

 Organisational Communication

Employers in Australia want employees to communicate openly and take responsibility for their opinions and actions.

In this real-life example, an Australian manager unfamiliar with working in Asia regularly asked his new team to provide him with feedback, so as to get the experienced advice of his local staff on the best way to run the company.

However he found it very difficult to get their support, as his Asian staff found it very strange that a manager should ask such a thing, and had interpreted this request as ignorance, deciding that he didn’t know much about management OR his new role!

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+Achieving Success in the Australian Workplace

Australian employers like employees who are:

Appropriately skilled and qualified

Take the initiative and can be assertive when necessary

Are both able to work well independently but are also a “team player”

Have excellent planning, problem solving and organisational skills

Are good communicators

Are enthusiastic and self-motivated

© Ursula Walker 2011

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+Case Study

  

Graham:

I’m not sure about Gunawan. I know he has great skills but he seems to need direction constantly.

I think he has some good ideas and I keep asking him to speak up in meetings but he just goes along with what everyone else thinks.

The rest of the team don’t seem to like him much – he’s a bit of an outsider. I seem to be missing something but I am not sure what the problem is. 

© Ursula Walker 2011

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+Case Study

  

Gunawan:

I’m very unhappy here. I always listen to Graham and try to carry out his instructions to the best of my ability, but I don’t think he is happy with my performance. I am always ready to anticipate his needs and offer him my support.

But meetings are especially difficult, everyone speaks so quickly I find it hard to follow. I was invited to the pub after work a few times but I don’t drink and I am not sure I have much in common with my colleagues. 

© Ursula Walker 2011

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+Employer Expectations Employers expect employees to give and

receive feedback and take initiative on projects.

While Australians like communication to be direct, they still expect manners and politeness.

Good interpersonal skills such as listening and being able to negotiate differences are highly regarded.

Personal qualities such as punctuality, enthusiasm and motivation are highly valued.

© Ursula Walker 2011

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+Top 10 Tips for Skilled Migrants

Are you becoming

disillusioned or depressed

about the difficulties in

finding appropriate

employment or

understanding your new

workplace? Read on…

© Ursula Walker 2011

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+Treat others as your equal

Australia has inequality and Australian workplaces have hierarchies, but people tend to speak with each other as equals.

Be equally polite to both the office cleaner and the boss.

© Ursula Walker 2011

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+Understand Australian Manners

Different languages have different ways of expressing politeness.

In Australia if you don’t use “please”, “thank you” and “excuse me” a lot, you may be judged as being impolite.

© Ursula Walker 2011

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+Always be Punctual

Plan to arrive 15 minutes before a job interview and don’t be late for meetings.

© Ursula Walker 2011

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+Know your Responsibilities

Be aware of employer expectations.

Being clear about job roles and responsibilities in your vocational field will make it easier for you to excel.

© Ursula Walker 2011

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+Know your Rights

Australian governments have laws that protect employee rights, laws to ensure a safe workplace and to promote equality of opportunity.

© Ursula Walker 2011

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+Communication is Critical

Continue to improve your English.

Learn how Australians make casual conversation in the workplace, and learn colloquialisms and jargon.

Be aware of non-verbal communication, particularly in job interviews.

© Ursula Walker 2011

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+Build a Bridge

Carefully identify a small number of well-respected local training courses that can deepen your understanding of Australian standards, processes and specifications.

But remember that practical work experience is highly valued in Australia.

© Ursula Walker 2011

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+Be Realistic

It’s unlikely that you will be able to start your new career at the same level that you were in in your country of origin.

Sometimes you have to go backward to go forward – be prepared to start lower so that you can learn and progress in your new country.

© Ursula Walker 2011

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+Know that your Contribution is Valued

Australia’s prosperity and diverse culture are largely due to the many migrants who have made Australia their home. Most Australians recognise this and appreciate it – or are migrants themselves!

© Ursula Walker 2011

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+Be Positive

We have a growing economy and a falling unemployment rate. It’s only a matter of time before the right job becomes available.

© Ursula Walker 2011

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+Conclusion

This concludes the final presentation in this series.

I hope that you have enjoyed all three and have found the information in them practical and useful.

If you would like to contact me, comment on or recommend these podcasts to others, you are most welcome to do so at:

http://ursula59724.podomatic.com/

© Ursula Walker 2011