Once you know the basics about what Millennials are looking for in the workplace, it’s easy to think that you’ve got them figured out. But the ideals of this dynamic generation run deep, and it’s important for employers to stay on top of what Millennials are looking for in their work.
This week I’ve been reading articles and blog posts that share a wealth of important things to remember when you’re managing your Millennials, as well as ways to keep them engaged and happy on the job.
- 8 Things You Need To Know About Millennials At Work. Business Insider: “Millennials are the most educated generation in history. Approximately 79% of Gen Y members hold at least a bachelor’s degree, compared to 69% for Gen Xers and 62% for Boomers. However, it’s important to note that those who do not major in highly sought-after majors, like engineering, tend to struggle with heavier student debt loads than ever before.”
- How to Help Millennials Win at Work. CLO Media: “‘Mentoring is a way that established workers and executive fulfill a deep-seated need to teach what they’ve learned,’ says author Geoffrey James. ‘The trick to finding a mentor is realizing that the benefit of mentoring goes as much to the mentor as to the person being mentored. Finding a mentor is relatively easier than you think; it’s mostly a matter of noticing who enjoys teaching you and who does so grudgingly. It’s a mistake to think about having a single mentor; you should have many for different areas of your work life. Being mentored is only part of the picture; having role models — whom you don’t know personally but admire — is probably just as important.’”
- 7 Things You (Probably) Don’t Realize About Your Millennial Employees. Forbes: “Millennials are more willing to let digital distractions into their personal lives, answering work emails during evening hours previously considered sacred, but they also want the option to work from home or on a less-rigid schedule than the ironclad 9-to-5 hours of yore. Thus far, cash has remained king where compensation is concerned, across the generational board. But according to Universum’s research, 73% of respondents favored work-life balance over a salary bump, and an even-higher 82% placed work-life balance ahead of their place in the company hierarchy.”
- Millennials Are Taking Jobs Rather Than Careers. Business2Community: “While not all Millennials have had a difficult time getting jobs, it is a fair statement to stay that most have. And when they get the job (which may not even be in their field), many are taking on side jobs as well. In March 2014, The Pew Research Center reported that only 6% of Millennials believe Social Security will be able to provide for them at the same level as today’s retirees. So while many in past generations were committed and loyal to one (or two) companies throughout their career, Millennials are hustling and not staying in one place for too long. They are looking for the best offer and the quickest way to advance.”
- Why Millennials Aren’t Disrupting The Workplace. Information Week: “So how can you best manage this change of generations in the workplace? Know what makes them tick. Take a step back and look at the benefits your company offers this new workforce. For Millennials, work is what they do, not where they go. Millennials sometimes view corporate structures as limiting factors, so create and provide meaningful opportunities for them as employees to do good — whether it’s through a donation match or volunteer days. While opportunities for service may not seem like the most pressing challenge for IT, the business leaders who successfully meet the needs of Millennials will be better positioned to attract and retain these dynamic young workers.”
