In the ongoing debate between baby boomers and millennials being the best generation, there are many considerations to see the best qualities of the two. Although these two are at each other’s throats regarding cultural views and beliefs, there is no denying that they have to find common ground to work together.
Since we’re delving deeper into the subject in a work-setting context, we would be leaving out the Gen-Z generation. Moreover, most of the American workforce is composed of millennials, only followed by baby boomers and the Gen-X.
If you have worked with countless millennials, you have probably hired them because of their fresh ideas and supposed vigor to work. You aren’t mistaken. That is the defining trait of millennials at work: their passion for proving themselves and succeeding. However, a report conducted by Gallup showed that over 60% of millennials are open to new opportunities, and here’s where both employers and recruiters share the same headache.
In this article, we would talk about this millennial habit to better understand it. Ultimately, learning how to deal with it as an industry leader.
The Millennial Job-hopping Headache Could Be an Internal Problem
The media has repeatedly dubbed millennials as the laziest generation, and the same report above backs this up by showing that only 29% of millennials are completely engaged at work. Sounds bad, eh? At the end of each day, a business is not charity work. Employers need their staff to engage and be productive. It is typically common for baby boomer managers to get enraged because of poor performances caused by a lack of motivation.
While you might be quick to judge and say that motivation is not your problem, it is. Remember that fiery passion you saw in your young staff earlier? It did not simply vanish into thin air. Something might have happened that did douse this flame.
Employers and business owners are all about production and figures. It is no secret that sometimes, they fail to see beyond the efforts given by their young staff. Although it is what it is, and business is business, the world is evolving too. Employees are now placing more value on their welfare and mental wellness, factoring in the work environment into their choices.
Ultimately, keep in mind that millennials pride themselves on individualism. They want to figure things out, they want to prove themselves, and they are all about breaking the unhealthy societal stigma. Without understanding your workers’ motivation, you would drop your employee retention rate. It could deliver a blow to your growth too.
Work Environment and Office Culture Are Crucial
As a business leader, you have so many options to avoid this toxic work habit of young employees. You could pour more resources and time into recruiting and onboarding people. You could even get employment mediation services to protect your interests. You could also opt for subcontractors and freelances that are more eager to work for you.
However, there is something else that you could pay attention to, and that is improving your work environment and office culture.
Take a good look at your office. What feeling does it emanate? Does it radiate a boring and brooding vibe, or does it spark with joy? Next, check your daily work routine. Are people coming in happily, or do they have to drag themselves into on Monday mornings? Also, check how you show employee appreciation. Do you even take extra efforts beyond an email to thank your staff, or are you too focused on executive tasks?
Being a business owner is different from being a business leader. Although focusing on executive business deals is important, your staff is the lifeline of your business operations. Without them, there would be no business production. Work environment and office culture are how you treat your employees, and it is gravely important to the millennial workforce.
It is one of the main reasons for unproductive and complacent attitudes. The purpose you hired them for is gradually fading because they are in a workplace that doesn’t promote a healthy environment.
What you could do is start with your office design. Go for ergonomic and open spaces to promote collaboration and productivity. Next, focus on showing appreciation by conducting weekly activities. Lastly, make sure this change runs deep in your culture. Be careful not to project false positivism in the workplace because it will only make things worse.
This misunderstood generation only wants to work for the right people that get them, an employer who knows how to lead them, and leaders that would teach them new skills they all crave to learn.
