So much has been written about millennials in general, that it’s quite reasonable to believe that not much has been left out. Still, there is at least one good reason to stick to this topic. Namely, the field of work is constantly changing and millennial workers are by far the fastestgrowing cohort of workers. That means they are reshaping the way we work in both traditional and modern industries. To help you better understand all the implications, we’ve prepared the following overview of the most significant important issues that should be considered when understanding millennials as workers.
What do they want?
In comparison with their parents, millennials are known to be much more focused on their own needs. Some would argue that they are lazy and that they believe rules don’t apply to them, but such generalisations are never correct. What we can say for sure, though, is that that millennials are much less tolerant of workplace practices that don’t meet their needs and expectations. This also means that they need to be properly engaged to give their best.
Unlike their parents’ generation, millennials should be approached with feedback and engagement strategies that are truly meaningful. They need to feel like they are an important part of the team, who contribute to the overall success. Also, they require to be treated with respect and they want their ideas and contributions to be given due attention, regardless of their position in the hierarchical structure of the company.
Blend, rather than balance
We also need to accept that millennials don’t know life before the Internet and 24/7 connectivity. This has great implications on their perception of work and how it should be treated. They are unable to draw a very clear line between their private and professional life and expect others to behave in the same way. That’s why they often talk about work-life blend, rather than work-life balance. They need flexibility at their workplace and find it one of the most powerful tools. Next, they want to be proud of their company and the work it does. Such features are more important to them than the pay they get.
They know their rights and are ready to fight for them
Being self-conscious, millennials are reluctant to give up on any of their rights, especially if they feel they are pulling their weight. They will seek recognition and reward for a job well done, just like they won’t think twice about hiring a reputable compensation lawyer in case they suffer an injury at work. Rarely will they completely disregard their own needs and put someone else’s above them. So, be prepared to deal with people fully aware of their rights, but also of their obligations.
They appreciate feedback, but not from just anyone
Since most millennials were raised having peer-like relationship with adults who ensured their young protégés were provided with constant guidance, it’s easy to see why millennials crave for feedback. Not only do they want it to be regular, but they want it to be meaningful and useful. So, instead of empty phrases often found in annual reviews, they should be provided with feedback that they can easily relate to. The more specific the feedback, the more likely a millennial worker is to accept it in the right way and act on it. Finally, they will always rather get feedback from their direct superiors than from an HR manager who barely knows them.
Working hours
As we’ve already established, millennials are no strangers to working long hours and will accept that sometimes they have to put in an extra shift. However, they will also notice if their readiness and willingness to help is being abused. Also, they want to be sure that the reason they have to work longer hours is justified and logical, rather than arbitrary. The same applies to rules and policies. If they notice that there are more efficient and less stressful alternatives, they’ll surely let you know about them.
Legal issues
Millennials are famous for questioning policies and directions that don’t make sense to them, which is why employers should have the workplace rules clearly set out and their rational explained. The better they understand why things are done in a particular way, the more likely they’ll be to accept various rules. Furthermore, they look for as much flexibility as possible and are well-informed about their rights. If they feel that there are problems regarding human rights, bullying and harassment, they’ll let everyone know how they feel about it. While they want to be close to their colleagues, they won’t allow to be mistreated to have a relationship with conflicts. They want to know what their rights are and demand to be educated about it. This is not only crucial, but also legally required. You need to perform a police check on employees but you also need to explain how this can protect their safety and wellbeing.
As you can see, you can bring out the best in millennial workers if you understand how they feel and what their needs are. While in theory this could be applied to people of all generations, there is no denying that millennials are somewhat specific, which is exactly why you need to know how to deal with them. If you play your cards well, they’ll most likely help your company reach its goals by being reliable and efficient workers.
By Diana Smith
