This generation comprises the largest labor force in the world, and they do not like rigid schemes.
Millennials have taken workplaces around the world. They are the largest generation in the labor forces and are destroying the 10-hour working schemes in small booths.
They have fresh ideas about how, when and where they want to work and are leaving the way open for the young Generation Z that follows them to continue these patterns. This means that organizations that do not prioritize flexible work and job mobility risk losing their best talent.
But before you shed your company’s work schemata out the window, stop and consider what these generations want from their jobs.
What millennials want?
Numerous studies conducted in recent years have determined what young professionals who were born between 1981 and 1999 really want from their careers. A global PwC poll of 44,000 millennials found that they appreciate having a balanced, the use of technology in their work and have growing opportunities.
Millennials are comfortable with change. If they work in a company and start to feel undervalued or exploited, without a doubt they will look for a new job or to undertake on their own. They certainly do not want to be chained to their desk more than 50 hours a week.
This generation is absolutely hardworking. If they have an employer that allows them to do so, they are able to mix activities of their personal life with the pending work tasks in order to have the balance that they are looking for.
Give them what they want: Flexible work.
So how can a business take advantage of what this age group seeks and at the same time keep them interested? Boosting a work culture that accepts flexible working hours and the option to work from a mobile device is a great start. As a business owner, you should think about how you can make your workplace more free and effective at the same time.
What tasks or roles can be handled remotely over the network? Some typical examples include writing, research, marketing, sales and development.
How can different teams communicate effectively? Explore collaborative platforms that allow file sharing (such as Dropbox or Google Messenger). If you cannot offer a remote work schedule, you may be able to consider flexible hours or give one day a week where people can choose to work from home.
Give them what they need: Space to grow.
Successful organizations are looking for ways to improve their employees’ lives. Millennials want to increase their skills, and want to be recognized for a job well done. With the explosion of online learning tools, learning new things has never been so easy.
If your company can offer things like training, flexible or remote schemes, good technology and some recognition, this generation will stay to work for you. Technology allows us to work wherever we want, whatever we want. Progressive businesses must take advantage of this potential.