In 2015, Millennials passed Baby Boomers as the largest part of the workforce, as they currently make up about 35% of the working population. Due to the differences in society as they grew up, Millennials have completely different needs to that of their Baby Boomers and Gen-Xers working counterparts. Due to this, employers need to take a different path when managing them.
Millennials are usually very educated, and that’s because many of them have been to University. Growing up, it was common that they were rewarded for chores as children, which has led to a very competitive nature where they strive to be rewarded in the workplace. They are often stereotyped as entitled, and their ambition is often misinterpreted as disloyalty, as they’re likely to leave a job quicker than previous generations when their needs are not met. So how exactly can we manage Millennials in the workplace?
5 Tips for Managing Millennials
1) Provide Training and Mentoring
At work, Millennials want to learn. They are constantly trying to better themselves, learn new skills and become further educated on the industry or field they are working in. In order to manage Millennials, you need to make sure you have a thorough structured training programme where all their needs are met. In addition to this, offer mentoring and constant support on a one-to-one level, so that they know they always have someone they can shadow and learn from.
2) Provide Feedback
Similar to the previous point, Millennials also need feedback! If you can show that you are investing into your Millennial employees and showing them ways to learn, they will flourish in the workplace. Millennials want to know what they are doing well, so make sure you offer positive feedback too!
3) Challenge Them
In order to manage your Millennial employees and ensure that they are engaged in the workplace, you should challenge them. Give them more responsibility, and let them help out on huge projects. Millennials feel appreciated when they are given responsibility, and so in turn feel further engaged in the workplace.
4) Be Fun
Continuing on from the previous point, Millennials want to work, but they also want to have fun while they’re there! Foster integration between the workforce generations and allow people to communicate and speak freely. Millennials don’t want to sit at a desk all day in silence – they want to laugh!
5) Provide a Work-Life Balance
Unlike previous generations, Millennials have a further emphasis on the importance of a work-life balance. They are constantly busy and may play for sports teams or have hobbies that they take up outside of work. Not only this, Millennial’s are very socially focused and spend a lot of time with friends and family. Balance is vital to a Millennial and so in order to better manage your employees, you should offer flexible working and remote working if possible. For example, letting a Millennial leave early on a Wednesday for football practice would make them feel appreciated and engaged at work! While at work, Millennials will give it their all, but in the grand scheme of things, other elements are also important to them, so you should support this.
Therefore, in order to engage with a millennial, you may need to make slight adjustments to the way that you manage them. Make a conscious effort to keep things fun and challenging, and respect their work-life balance. Millennials are engaged through freedom and responsibility, so give it to them!
It’s not just Millennials who want to work from home! It's on the increase for most companies, so check out our other blog, 5 Reasons Why You Should Offer Employees The Opportunity To Work From Home.
Jessica Greaney
Digital Marketer
0121 244 5004