Every generation enters the workforce with a different set of standard skills and experiences. When Gen Y employees enter the business world, they’re used to being connected and plugged in. Therefore, millennials often search for work experiences where they can easily connect with their coworkers. But, traditional work environments don’t always allow for the flexible, social experience millennials want. Recently, I’ve been reading about what millennials are looking for from their work environments, managers and job descriptions.
What Millennials Do and Don’t Want From Their Employers via Fortune: “A study by my former colleagues at the Pew Research Center shows that millennials actually value job security more highly than boomers do. But they won’t stay at a job they don’t like. Some 50% of millennials say having a ‘job you enjoy’ is ‘extremely important’ to them, compared with just 38% of boomers.”
Making Friends With the Millennials via govloop: “Often, millennials are accused of being entitled, according to Fox. But that’s not necessarily fair, he asserted. This idea comes from their desire to have an ever-evolving career and to fulfill their dreams of giving back to society. ‘It isn’t so much as entitlement as high expectations,’ Fox said. ‘They have high expectations for themselves, for their leaders, and for their colleagues. Sometimes that can come across as entitlement, but that’s not really the intent.’”
What Millennials Want (And How To Work With Them) via SAGE: “Millennials are multitaskers like you’ve never seen. If they want to listen to music while eating lunch, editing a document and answering emails, let them. They’re used to constant stimulation. In fact, without many different tasks and goals to pursue within the week, the Millennials will likely experience boredom.”
7 Perks That Millennials Are Craving in the Workplace via TINYhr: “Consider funding classes related to their field so they can gain more knowledge to support their position at work. Certain industries, such as finance, require exams in order to progress professionally. Covering these classes will help employees advance, especially if they’re still in a junior-level position and don’t have the funds for the courses.”
What Millennials Want (in the Workplace): Something Resembling Life via Access: “As much as some are loathe to admit it, Millennials are adults. As such, they should be trusted: trusted to get their work done on time, even if they’re not in a cubicle; trusted that they know they need to continue being productive while keeping an eye on the basketball tournament. If a company has made an investment in bringing in the right people, Millennial or otherwise, then the company should also be willing to place that employee in the best position for them to succeed.”
How do you create a welcoming atmosphere for millennial employees? Leave an answer in the comments!
