FYI for Working with Gen Y: Employers Listen Up!
They’re under 30. They’re smart. They wear flip flops to work and listen to their iPods at the office. They want to work, but they want to have a life too.
If this sounds like you, you’re likely a member of Generation Y, a force of as many as 70 million born between 1980 and 1995, and a force to be reckoned with. But, if this resembles a co-worker or employee, take heed. Gen Y’ers are a creative, tech-savvy, independent bunch who embrace change and have financial smarts. They also have the reputation of being high maintenance. And one thing is for sure – they are here to stay.
So, when it comes to working with Gen Y’ers, here are a few dos and don’ts:
Do:
- Acknowledge generational differences at work and talk about them. Boomers and Gen Y’ers both want the world to stop for them, just for different reasons. Talking about them can help.
- Let them initiate. Play to their creativity and revel in a fresh perspective. Give them a project with some guidelines and let them run with it. Remember, no risk, no reward.
- Encourage professional development. Let them participate in seminars, workshops and conferences. Better yet, pay for them.
- Be flexible – in terms of how, where and when they work.
- Give them company. Make sure there is more than one person under 30 in the office. Sometimes it’s hard to relate to things like children, spouses, and health issues. Having a like-age colleague can help ease the tension.
Don’t:
- Emphasize age. If you start a sentence with “Well, you’re so young…” they’ll run for the hills.
- Set them apart from the rest. Putting Gen-Y’ers in their own little bubble and treating them differently will result in little progress. Give them a place at the table and incorporate them in decision-making.
- Dismiss their concerns. Even small concerns can have a huge impact. Take them seriously.
- Think they are different than everyone else. After all, everybody wants flexible hours, meaningful work, a nice office environment, and ongoing training. Gen-Y’ers might just be more vocal about it.
So, put on those flip flops, turn on those iPods, and turn to Gen-Y’er for new, more creative ways to work.
Labels: Gen Y, real-world knowledge, work/life balance
Posted by Seymour Jobs on 4/30/2009 10:59:00 AM
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1 Comments:
I know that I am much more technologically advanced than my parents and I am imagine that the workplace has the same divide. While most older professionals have adapted and work with technology, they do so out of necessity. While younger people live almost 99% of their lives plugged into something, so they see computer proficiency as a required skill. While it is useful to know your way around technology, don't forget that in the next couple decades there will be more technological advancements and then we might be the dinosaurs who don't know how to use the high tech equipment!