Break The Stigma: Let's Talk Millennials At The Office

It Is Reckless to Dub Them The ‘Job-Hopping Generation’.

They are known to be lazy, financially reckless, disloyal, and impatient, and the negative connotations continue. We’re no strangers to all these terms used to describe this generation of youngsters, but nothing could be further than the truth.

Being in the business of workforce solutions for more than a decade, CXL searches, recruits and places this group of young people daily. Like it or not, they are the present and future of the workforce (for some time at least). Millennials make up more than 50% of our workforce globally. According to Deloitte, this number is expected to grow as more enter the workforce to 75% by 2025. Hence, organisations must find a mutually beneficial middle point to meet these young minds in the workplace.

But first, let’s understand who they are exactly and why there is a definitive somewhat negative stigma attached them.

Who Are Millennials?

The term Millennials was coined by Neil Howe and William Strauss in their book ‘Generations’ published in 1991. Howe and Strauss define the Millennial cohort as consisting of individuals born between 1982 and 2004, however the generation is typically defined as people born from 1981 to 1996.

According to Howe & Strauss, people born during this time would drastically differ from those born before them, mainly because they were raised with so much structure and protection. While one’s opinion may vary on Howe and Strauss’s findings, one thing is t for sure- Millennials are heavily scrutinised and criticised.

Millennials are Lazy. Or are they misunderstood?

That’s a strong statement.

The question arises- Is it fair to stereotype millennials simply because they were born in a specific period when their parents decided to raise them with different parenting beliefs from previous generations? Well, that’s food for thought. But are they as difficult to manage or work with as the stereotypes suggest? Or are they misunderstood?

The stereotype: Millennials are Job-hoppers

Deloitte’s Millennial Survey Research found that millennials would change jobs within two years if they could. In a survey by PwC that includes Malaysian millennials, there was a 16 percentage point drop to 70% in 2011 amongst respondents expecting to have between two and five employers only during their working lives. As this survey was conducted a decade ago, we can see these findings come to life today.

Interestingly, in the same survey, 61% of respondents preferred to stay within the same organisation and progress in their careers. Hence, though loyalty may be harder to find amongst employees, it is undoubtedly present in this generation. Organisations may need to (grudgingly) invest more towards retaining this group of employees. But in the long run, this forward-thinking, tech-native, opinionated, albeit a bit fussier group of employees may be as loyal and beneficial to the company as their predecessors, or better.

The stereotype: Millennials can’t handle stress

One of the most common Millennial stereotypes we’ve heard of so far.

As Howe and Strauss suggest— structured and protected parenting. Are parents at fault?

In an article by CNBC, a 2018 report from Country Financial found that 50% of Americans ages 21 to 27 receive financial assistance from a parent or guardian. However, consider this— In a report by The New York Times, a child born in an average household will have a 90% chance of making more money than their parents in 1940. In 1980, this dropped to 50%. Three decades later, you won’t need an official survey to realise the figures are probably much smaller. The scenario above may be American, but the situation in Malaysia closely emulates it. The cost of living has increased substantially. We’ve all felt it, and we’re sure the millennials have too. While ensuring that recruits can deliver and achieve their KPIs, organisations must consider whether they are being fair to millennials in their compensation.

Work/life balance is also greatly emphasised amongst millennials. In a PwC survey amongst Malaysian millennials, almost all respondents (97%) say that work/life balance is essential to them, and 75% say it is imperative. However, only 14% claim they have achieved this with their jobs, but 48% are struggling. The survey suggests that expectations are set during the recruitment process, combined with the recruit’s view of the employer brand. Hence, recruiters must manage the expectations of candidates at the early stages of recruitment to ensure both parties are fully aware of what would be expected of them.

The stereotype: Millennials are Impatient

Technology natives, it is hardly surprising that millennials expect things fast and almost instant. Opinions on this matter differ due to generational gaps. Gen-X bosses and colleagues are often viewed as hardworking, disciplined and loyal. In time, they believe their hard work and efforts will be rewarded.

Millennials, however, are driven by rapid progression and constant feedback. They were raised confident and to believe in their abilities. There is a need to be challenged, often with the intention of growth, but perceived as impatient and self-assertiveness.

Having a generationally diverse workforce would have many positive benefits to an organisation— understanding different work styles, perspectives and values. Perhaps, there may be a need to put more effort into team-building to help build this culture and foster better work relationships between employees of different generations, but we’re sure it will be worth it.

Every generation will always be different from the one before. But much is being said about the millennials more than generations before. But just like every generation back, there will be strengths and weaknesses. Organisations that can understand this and bridge the gap will likely find success in hiring the best in this generation and retaining them.

Source:

– Big demands and high expectations The Deloitte Millennial Survey

– What Is A ‘Millennial’ Anyway? Meet The Man Who Coined The Phrase by Samantha Sharf, Forbes

– A Therapist Says This Is The No. 1 Complaint Parents Have About Their Millennial Kids by Tess Brigham, CNBC Make It

– Millennials — impatient, overconfident and materialistic? by Liv Sylvia, Medium

– Here Is When Each Generation Begins and Ends, According to Facts by Philip Bump The Atlantic

Break The Stigma: Let’s Talk Millennials At The Office

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