Respect. Positivity. Flexible Schedules. Money.
Millennials, or Generation Y, want a lot. The aforementioned traits are just a sampling of what America’s newest workforce demands.
Born between 1980-2000, Millennials are starting to invade the Knoxville employment landscape full-swing. Michael Silence, a writer/blogger for the News Sentinel, published a local story today on bridging the generational gaps that are set to plague regional businesses, both big and small.
Silence states that Millennials and Traditionalists (otherwise known as Veterans) share many common traits. More so than the other two generations currently in the workforce, Baby Boomers and Generation X.
I couldn’t disagree more.
Veterans were raised during hard times and were shaped by events such as the Great Depression, WWI and WWII. They have and most likely will remain after retirement very loyal to their institutions. Vets tend to manage with a military style, enforcing rigidity.
Millennials on the other hand were raised during prosperous economic times. Technology has always been readily available which has gifted many the ability to multitask; I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing. Veterans were faced with being shipped off to war. Millennials are faced with terrorism invading their own turf. Lastly, Millennials could be the most disloyal generation when it comes to their employer. You did read the word ‘money’ in my opening statement didn’t you?
As this new generation takes over the workspace, I can only hope that Knoxville businesses are ready. Office space should be designed so that Millennials can openly share ideas. After all, this is a group that loves some Facebook. Mentor programs should focus on older generations reaching down but businesses could find another edge if they implement reverse mentoring. Anyone interested in explaining Twitter to a Baby Booming CEO?