“They have me down as a no-show”, she snorted as she punched her employee number into the computer. I looked at the clock. I looked at her. “You were supposed to be here almost two hours ago.” I said. “You didn’t call. You didn’t show. You are a no-show.” I could see she still thought it was unfair.
Welcome to the next generation of worker bees in the big American hive of opportunity. Generation Y, or “Millennials”, they’re calling us. The differences in work ethics and expectations between juniors and seniors in the work place are generating tension in almost every corner of the economy. Have no fear, reconciliation is here.
First, let me speak to my own kind (we always come first, as I’m sure you’ve noticed).
If you are unhappy with the cold reality of work (Punctuality, no texting at work, no lip rings, I mean, how can they demand so much?) believe that you are not under any expectations that your boss didn’t have at your age and still holds him or herself to. You are an adult now, it’s time to look and act like one, at least when you are on the clock.
For those of us who are sick of being grouped in with those other young adults who should return to kindergarten until they can learn to follow directions, I have great news for you. It is easy for you to stand out. Just work. Do what your boss says, regardless of their tone of voice. Do a good job. You will be recognized if you keep at it.
Our expectations of comfort, attention, and encouragement are unprecedented. Employers just don’t know how to react. Our school teachers knew how to pat us on the back to get us to work, but this is new to the managers of today who have always generated productivity through fear and pushing. Roll with it, its still their world.
The older generation sees us coming and they are held in awe and fear. We are technologically savvy, but also void of the elbow grease that got them where they are. We are the future, and the future doesn’t give a _____.
Now, to you who have to tolerate and adapt to us. Yes, I said adapt. This is not going to go away.
It’s okay, many big companies are implementing task forces, workshops, seminars, training sessions, etc. to learn how to deal with the Millennials that fill their cubicles. IBM, Ernst & Young, Merrill Lynch, they are all willing to taper their business style to harvest the benefits that the younger generation can offer.
We want more attention. We want constant motivation. We want treats. Yet, we want to be treated like adults. And it’s our way or the highway.
It only sounds far-fetched until you realize that this generation is supposed to pass up the baby-boomers in number, meaning that whatever you are dealing with now is only going to increase over the next 10 years by leaps and bounds as we become the majority.
Last month, Andrea Coombes at Newsday wrote a very informative, very inclusive piece called “The Generation Gap at Work.” 60 minutes, USA Today, and Time magazine also have great stories to help shed some light on the matter. There’s a lot of speculation as to what bred this attitude into us. There’s also a lot of expert opinions on what can be done about it.
With a little research, and some Kool-Aid, I think the gap can be bridged.
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