| BUSINESSWEEK ONLINE : MARCH 1, 1999 ISSUE | ||||||||
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| ECONOMIC TRENDS
Tips to Pick the Best Employee Don't rely on ''life'' stereotypes You're choosing between two equally qualified job candidates: One single, the other married with kids. Which will be the more committed employee? One stereotype says parents are more settled and dependable; another says single employees have fewer distractions. Both stereotypes are wrong, says workforce researcher Mary B. Young, an adjunct professor at Boston University. In a study she wrote for the Conference Board, Young concludes ''life status'' has little bearing on whether an employee is ''committed by choice''--motivated by a positive attachment to the firm. One of the prime measures for this desirable type of commitment is the worker's general attitude. What employers must watch out for, Young says, are workers who are ''committed by necessity''--who soldier on because they fear changing jobs or being fired. These dutiful employees have worse attitudes and are less likely to help build the organization, Young finds. Marital or parental status doesn't predict either type of dedication, Young says. Indeed, married workers with no children can rank highest in either type. BY MIKE MCNAMEE _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ BACK TO TOP |
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