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Bad Rap for Millennials? – Stereotyped? Lazy, Benefit hungry, Social media addicted?
I blow the steam from my coffee cup and look outside at the still darkness of the spring prelude in Calgary Alberta. Yawning, still slightly blurred from my recent rise from last night’s slumber, I lift the lid of my laptop, open my mail and the internet. I yawn and start to navigate through some spam and eventually get to how I like to spend my morning waking ritual. I read through and decide which trending or busting out topics in my industry are intriguing enough to post to our social outlet audiences. Today is no different than most others recently, Engagement plagues the screen, but todays discussion, a close second and most likely soon to overtake – Millennials.
I’m 46, (GenX) with millennial kids and can relate to this trending bust out topic that’s everywhere you look, Millennials. Whether it be, Benefits for Millennials and retaining them, or Millennials and Engagement**, it’s all there. One big thing that seems to be touched on, well……more like hammered on is; their laid back work ethic, along with a sense of entitlement for Benefits and compensation and perceived laziness, with the question that was never asked, alongside of "What’s the compensation?” How about, “What’s your policy on social media?!”
Now is this stereotype true? Are we doomed?
What are the facts?
Let’s get the facts, according to Tim Gilmore’s growing leader’s site. Here are 6 traits said to be shared by the majority of the millennial workforce
with stats to back it up. Points are further defined on Tim’s site.
- Staying Single - These young adults have grown up in an age when the nuclear family has exploded.
- Jumping Ship - Millennials have claimed for years that they are entrepreneurial in nature.
- Well Educated - School plays a larger role in this generation of young adults than any in North American history.
- Multicultural - Far and away, this generation of young adults is a mix of ethnicities
- Angst-Filled - One of my greatest concerns for this emerging generation of young adults is their mental health.
- On-Mission - This reality expands with every study. As Millennials consider work, they want to do something they feel really matters
Millennials will represent 75 percent of the global workforce by 2025
According to an excerpt taken from, http://www.newswire.ca/
Millennials or Gen Y, born between 1981-1995, are the fastest growing segment of Canada's workforce at 29 per cent and as of next year they will start to outnumber Baby Boomers. By 2025, Millennials will represent 75 per cent of the global workforce, according to the US Bureau of Labour Statistics.
The eldest of the millennial generation have been in the workforce for 10 years and are moving up the leadership ranks very quickly. Research from EY (Ernst Young) indicates that 87 per cent of Millennial Managers took on a new management role in the last 5 years compared with 38 per cent of Gen X managers and 19 per cent of Boomers. (Source: entrepreneur.com)
I’m 46
Yes, I’m 46 with relevance being here that despite the facts, stereotypes, generational clashes and Ignorance, yes ignorance in the true sense of the word not the failed definition. GenY will soon be calling all the shots and will only be dealing with their own work ethics and ushering in their new GEN of workforce to stereotype and complain about. Will they be doomed? Were we? I think not, life finds a way.
Now let’s give those Millennials the welcome they deserve and set the record straight*****. First, a smart way of proceeding would be to embrace the strengths that are not completely understood. I would prescribe, Communication brought forth through…..Engagement! Yes, with the help of workshops, groups, or more importantly technology. We need to interact with millennials on a playing field that is universal, using a medium they not only relate to but are intrigued to use. GenY is here and resistance is futile, we must assimilate by embracing strengths and learning from our new generation in the workplace. After all, in the majority of cases, they will eventually become our boss.
References;
**** Perception vs. Reality: 10 Truths About The Generation Y Workforce
by Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D.
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