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Think you've got your millennial employees figured out? You may not know them as well as you think.
Last month, Bentley University released the results of "Millennial Mind Goes to Work," a survey that polled more than 1,000 U.S. millennials ages 18 to 34 on their attitudes about career and workplace issues. The statistics revealed nuances of many of the assumptions older generations have made about Generation Y, such as their obsession with technology and propensity for job hopping.
The study, which was conducted as part of the school's millennial workforce preparedness program called PreparedU, reinforces the fact that millennials have been mischaracterized by employers in many instances, said Bentley University President Gloria Larson.
"We've long seen the talent and motivation here on our campus and wondered why others weren't seeing it," Larson told Business News Daily. "It turns out that we were not alone. Millennials are very quickly becoming a significant force in the workplace. The marketplace is responding to their needs and work styles, and in turn, many millennials are meeting them halfway."
While some stereotypes about Gen Y have a ring of truth to them, the reality behind these notions is far more complex than many employers realize. The survey provided insights into these three common millennial myths:
They'd rather text you. Millennials do love their smartphones and are extremely well-versed in many different forms of digital communication. However, the Bentley study found that more than half of respondents want to speak with colleagues in person when possible. Only 14 percent chose texting as their preferred communication method, and 19 percent chose email.
They don't believe in job loyalty. Gen Y has gained a reputation for job hopping — that is, leaving their positions after only a year or two with the company. By this standard, millennials should have about a dozen employers on their résumé by the time they reach age 40, but most of them don't feel this will be the case. Eighty percent of the millennials surveyed said they believe they'll work for four or fewer companies during their entire careers.
They want to climb the ladder (without having to work for it). One persistent stereotype about millennials is that they're lazy and entitled — that they want a position of authority and expect it to be handed to them right away, without putting in any real effort. While 50 percent of survey respondents said their poor work ethic left them unprepared for their first job, that doesn't mean they aren't willing to adapt. In fact, many millennials have higher ambitions than joining the C-suite — 66 percent want to start their own business, and 37 percent would like to work on their own, both of which require dedication and commitment.
The survey reported that one in three current U.S. employees is a millennial, and that this generation will make up nearly 75 percent of the global workforce by 2025. This means that employers have to start making Gen Y a top priority today. If your company wants to recruit, engage and retain millennial workers, you should tailor your programs to meet their needs, Larson advised.
"All organizations could benefit from developing an excellent onboarding program and training support," she said. "They'll need to offer schedule flexibility, provide regular feedback and engage their millennial employees in work that they find meaningful and important. Share the company's vision and mission, and also be as transparent as possible."
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