Facts about Gen Y at work

What do Gen Y want at work?

I read this recent article with much interest. It is regarding a recent study about what Gen Y really want and does dispel many myths.

The main points are:

• Gen Y think merit should be considered over tenure when advancement is considered. And I agree – best person for the best job is the best policy.

• Gen Y is a results-oriented group. They’re not going to wait patiently for their turn when it comes to promotions, raises, etc. if they’re doing higher quality work than someone with greater tenure. The data shown throughout the survey also suggests that they expect regular performance reviews and feedback. While Gen Y believes tenure is still an important factor when making decisions pertaining to advancement, rewarding performance comes first.

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Has your company got a culture that is Young Worker Friendly?

Is your company young worker friendly?

As I work with more and more companies, I am seeing something that is very striking; a lack of what I would call a Young Worker Friendly policy.

Let me explain. I work a lot with the service, catering and leisure industry which, let’s face it, lives on young employees and yet, for some reason, their policies seem to be hostile to young workers.

Let me explain.

1. They throw their young workers in at the deep end with hardly any training.
2. They then moan at them when they cannot deliver.
3. They give them no training as “they will not be here that long”,or, “they are only temporary”.
4. They come down on them like a ton of bricks when they do something wrong.

This puzzles me; most of these industries rely on their young employees to deliver great customer service and be very in the know, and yet they just expect them to be able to do it. It does not have to be that way; some large companies like Disney or McDonald’s really value their young employees, yet the little guys have not got it yet.

It is like they expect their young employees to know what to do and how to do it. Just because we may have known it does not mean this generation are as savvy. Most of these young employees are being managed by Gen X and let me tell you, we had a very very different experience from the generation coming up behind us. Left to our own devices for much of the time, we were the latch key kids and we learnt how to cook, wash and pretty much fend for ourselves, we were exposed to adult things at a much earlier age and we were in no way protected. We were given it with a sink-or-swim attitude.

OK, so let’s look at that in comparison to the youth of today. Firstly, they have a voice and have been encouraged to use it, so they will speak up and not just get on with it. Secondly, this generation has been cared for and protected and consequently expect things and think they are special. If a customer shouted at me when I was in my first job I took it as par for the course. Now they want you to stick up for them. Thirdly, they need instructions and feedback and they need them to be clear; in a way they have been force fed and things have to be in a step by step process , so where things may have been ambiguous, they are now very clear. They are used to pushing boundaries, since a lot of the time they do not have any and the adult/child divide has become much less clear.

So, if you want to make the best of your young employees, here are a few important things to note.

1. Make sure they get sufficient training, know what they are doing and are given feedback. While they are in no way stupid, they want systems and steps to take. This is how they are used to being taught.
2. Devise a system for them to participate in at every level; they have a powerful voice and want to use it. Often, they will make great suggestions that will really help your business.
3. Ensure there is a positive feedback system of some description and make teamwork a big part of how your company works.
4. Get clear what the systems and structures are that you want them to operate within and also let them know where they can be creative if they want. This needs to be clear.
5. Give them a “buddy” who they can go to and have an open door policy.
6. As a boss, don’t expect to automatically earn respect from your young employees. You will earn respect by being honest and transparent . Stick to your word and do what you say you will.
7. Be firm and fair when they cross boundaries with you.

And yes, expect that sometimes you may feel like you are a parent. However, remember that you are very influential to this young person. You may be this first adult they have had contact with in a work capacity and how you treat them could set up their whole idea of work and how adults in the outside world communicate with them. By not having Young Person Friendly policies, you could be sending a very strong negative message out to them.

Young workers can be the hardest working, most enthustiastic and energetic work force if managed correctly.

However, what I hear most saying is that they are lazy, rude and annoying. Well let me tell you, your employees will exhibit what they see in their boss, so take a look at yourself!

And if you are reading this, thinking that you are not going to change what you do for the young employees who never stay very long, good luck to you! You are in for a bumpy ride; remember the impact that one bad employee can have on your customers and then ask yourself if it is worth it or not.