Millennials have different expectations for their work than their predecessors. They’re more willing to hop from one job to another, less company-oriented, and less willing to follow rules. They expect more individual attention, more flexibility in their jobs, and more recognition for what they do. Fortunately, doing a few things to adapt to these expectations can do a lot to cultivate productive and inspired young workers.
Create a positive environment
Cubicles don’t have to be constraining gray boxes. With multiple options in panels, configuration, and materials, cubicles can be customized to suit the specific needs and workflow of every department. At EthoSource, we have extensive experience helping to create workplaces that are exciting, new, and a great place to start a career.
Still, many Millennials come into the workplace with negative preconceptions about cubicles and even about traditional office furniture. Allowing workers the freedom to personalize their workspaces and feel a sense of ownership can go a long way to make a new Millennial-age employee feel like part of the team.
Provide encouragement along with skills
Every new employee requires training and Millennials are no different. Where they may differ is in their expectations about training. Remember, this is the generation that got a sticker on every school paper — they may expect more praise than previous generations. Provide necessary training but don’t forget to give encouragement occasionally as Millennials pick up new skills and adapt to their new work environment. Although many workplaces complain that Millennials need a lot of supervision, with the right amount of encouragement they can become independent and efficient workers who make smart choices on their own.
Allow for feedback
Millennials are often more outspoken about their opinions than generations of the past so don’t be put off if you get unexpected feedback about something you didn’t even think was an issue. Let them know you’ve taken their comments into consideration, even if you don’t plan on acting on the feedback, and explain why changes can be made, or why not. Helping your Millennials understand why older workers take their helpful comments as disrespect — and helping older workers understand that these misunderstandings are possible — can help ease cross-generational tensions.
Office politics
A major difference between Millennials and older workers is how they interact with others. Millennials grew up in the fast-paced culture of the internet where sweeping statements are normal and quickly forgotten. Many have grown up privileged, compared with earlier generations, and with a sense of immediate entitlement. While you can’t do much to change how Millennials interact with others, you can provide an example by reexamining company cultural norms and traditions that might be ready for an overhaul.
Recruiting smart and innovative young workers who bring a different set of skills to your team is important to maintaining productivity and staying on the cutting edge. By 2025, these workers will be in the majority, so it makes sense to help them fit into your workforce now.