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August 24, 2004

Kids today: what do they want at work?

Several years ago, Generation X managed to completely befuddle management.  They demanded and expected new and different accommodations in the workplace.  Now that management has finally figured out how to keep the new employees happy and productive, there is a whole new generation with which to contend.

The Millennials, also known as Generation Y, grew up in a world where hi-tech is not a luxury, but a necessity.  They also juggled many activities from a very young age: school, soccer practice, piano lessons, dinner, volunteer work, homework, and finally bed.  As a result, this generation can multi-task better than any generation before, and they can do it fast.  They love to work as teams, and are exceedingly optimistic.  And, they want some completely different things from the workplace.

Unlike the Generation Xers, Millennials prefer a structured workplace, with plenty of interaction from supervisors.  They want personalized work with ample feedback.  Asking them to look something up in a book is like asking someone with a calculator to do long division.  It isn't that they don't know how.  It's just exceedingly inefficient when the Internet has the answer waiting a few keystrokes away.

If you have a Millennial handy, test this out.  Think of some inane question.  Maybe, "how often do chickens lay eggs?"  A Millennial will probably have your answer in seconds, with help from their computer.  A Generation Xer would be bothered that you even asked, questioning the relevance of such an absurd question.  A baby boomer would think about it, make a few calls to the proper people, and find the answer.  A member of the Greatest Generation would probably also have a quick answer, because he actually knows firsthand about chickens.

Keeping up with the wants and needs of all employees is essential to a productive and enjoyable workplace.  With insight into other generations, management can bridge these generational gaps.

A recent article in ABA's Law Practice Today discusses how to effectively mentor the newest members of the workplace.

If you're interested in an article that's more specific to lawyers, The Young and the Restless talks about recruiting new lawyers.

Posted by at 08:26 AM.
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