Gen Y — The most demanding workforce
June 4, 2006 · Filed Under Recruiting in the 21st Century
Magic Pot of Jobs - gen y will change the way we work
The best part about this post isn’t the actual content of the post or the commentary, it is the comment section where one commenter has already thrown around the “entitlement” attack on Gen Y. As I have always said to Gen Y haters, I hope you enjoy recruiting a smaller and smaller portion of the job sector as people of your target demographic start retiring and buying RV’s. And what is so radical about asking for jobs that are fulfilling or meaningful? Working a boring 8-5, pushing a pencil around at your desk while you wait for the generation of old timers who are more likely to be punching the clock than making any meaningful gains on your business isn’t an option.
Until HR monkeys figure this out, my job is going to stay pretty easy. Knowing the parts of the job that attracts Gen X and Y and making it accessible for them is much easier than being stubborn and letting the next generation of the workforce pass you by.
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Your HR Guy is a Human Resources Generalist practicing in the field. But don't let that fool you, this isn't a boring blog. I seek relevance and humor in a place we will spend much of our lives. Everything from workplace issues, job seeking and terrible bosses. Read more...
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It’s so true. It’s all very nice for older workers to whine about “entitlement,” but the fact is, you used to be able to trade away your time and dedication for job security and a pension. You can’t do that now, and the younger members of the workforce have figured that out. If they can’t have security, they want meaning. There’s nothing wrong with that.
Agreed. Great addition.
The tension I’ve had with co-workers is the result of a generation gap. I belong gen X, while they belong to the baby boomer generation. I’ve been looked down upon because my definition of “dedication” is not measured in the same way. And while they looked forward to my departure from the company, I was promoted instead.
This has hit home…
I am 38, so I guess that makes me a Gen X’er… I am a product developer, which makes me mid-level mgmt I guess, and most of the people around me are 15-20 years older than me. I have been here for 6 years, in the same position and am extremely frustrated by the stagnation. My peers don’t feel the same, most of them are in their 2nd career, collecting pensions from former employers. The positions that I want to aspire to will not be open for at least 10 years, IF the people in them retire…and why would they?
I deal with this the best I can, I am well compensated and work relatively close to home, which is very important to my family. But what I am having more and more trouble dealing with is the issues that arise from the huge generation gap that we have. We are in a business casual environment, which I admit can be very subjective. But some people assume that unless you are in a suit, you are not adhering to the dress code. This company is a technology based communications firm, and its goal is to always be cutting edge and forward thinking…how can that be done if the younger gen X and gen Y’s never get to be in the position to make decisions?
Linda: Great! Thanks for sharing.
Jamie: Ultimately (and unfortunately) that seems to be the choice and the direction your company is going. I don’t know how you can change that. What you’re talking about is a culture change and employees can’t do much about that.
[...] have been writing on this blog for over two years and in that time I have discussed Gen Y in both positive and negative ways. I feel like my negativity about Gen Y overshadows the fact that I don’t [...]