As Millennials enter the work force in large numbers, the perception has been that they are demanding or “entitled” as a group. In spite of the complaints of older generations of managers and executives along these lines, many substantial firms are making adjustments to accommodate the youngest generation in the workforce, according to an analysis by the Wall Street Journal this week. Millennials will comprise nearly half the workforce by the end of the decade so many firms are choosing to meet them where they are rather than risk alienating a generation of employees. A few of the case studies… Read More
Categories: WorkplaceMillennials are more likely to have a job in retail than in any other field, according to a PayScale analysis of 500 thousand Millennials in the workforce. Retail jobs are typically low-paying (average of about $19k per year), entry-level jobs. While that might seem a natural starting point for a generation entering the workforce, many are finding that such work does not match their qualifications or financial needs.For example, 83% of Millennials who work in clothing sales report having a bachelor’s degree. College educated Millennials typically have tens of thousands of dollars of student loan and other debt so retail… Read More
Categories: Generations, WorkplaceMore Americans than ever are working past the age of 65, according to Labor Department statistics cited by The New York Times. As longevity and health care improves, and as the economy remains tight, more Matures, along with the leading edge of the Baby Boomers, are deciding to stay on the job. Employment among every age group above 65, including those above 75, has risen steadily. The ranks of the 65+ in the workforce swelled noticeably in the last year as the first Boomers reached the traditional retirement-age milestone. “The fact of the matter is that this aging-but-not-yet-aged segment of… Read More
Categories: Baby Boomers, Matures, Work, WorkplaceI was in NYC yesterday and included some comments about the rarity of farmer’s kids in the workplace. I emphasized that they typically don’t fit the generational stereotypes, that they have a strong work ethic long before their peers do. A guy from the audience handed me a slip of paper that told me to explore a YouTube video and this is what I found. Hysterical. Right on. Perfect. I’m a big fan of farmer’s kids. They’re exceptional. They’re becoming rarer, though. One guy in the audience said they’re changing, though. I don’t know, but I know I like these… Read More
Categories: WorkplaceMillennials are finding it tough to land jobs and it’s not just because of the economy. In many cases, they may be their own worst enemies in the application and interview processes. Recruiting firm Adecco surveyed hiring managers and found them more likely to hire Boomers than Millennials, in many cases because of the mistakes that Millennials make when applying and interviewing. Managers surveyed were three times more likely to hire a Boomer than a Millennial and they weighed in on the key mistakes that Millennials are making. The top mistake Millennials make is wearing inappropriate attire to an interview,… Read More
Categories: Baby Boomers, Generations, WorkplaceBaby Boomers are supposed to be the original “me” generation and the one most motivated by money, and Millennials have the reputation of being entitled and demanding, but it’s Generation X that’s most likely to ask for a raise, according to a survey of managers by SuccessFactors. Gen Xers were the most likely to ask for a promotion (49%), more money (39%), a signing bonus (37%), or better working arrangements (36%). Millennials were much less likely to demand promotions and raises, but did ask for additional training more than any other generation, a pattern consistent with other studies we’ve seen…. Read More
Categories: Generations, WorkplaceOne of the employee demands that Millennials are bringing to the workforce is known as BYOD, or Bring Your Own Device – the ability to bring their own smartphones, tablets, netbooks, etc., and to utilize workplace networks with them, including for work purposes. Now, a survey of network administrators shows a sharp increase in threats to network security and most of them blame Millennials who BYOD.0000 40% say their systems have been compromised by unauthorized downloads and many blame Millennials, specifically “males between 20 and 35” who have demanded access to workplace networks with their own electronics. Moreover, 80% of… Read More
Categories: Downloadable Media, WorkplaceMany Baby Boomers are working past retirement by starting a second, or “encore,” career. Encore.org reports that 9 million Boomers have already launched their retirement careers. That’s about 10% and well more than the number of Boomers who have reached official retirement age. In their encore careers, Boomers are often looking to do something meaningful or “make a difference.” In that respect, they mirror Millennials who favor jobs that have a purpose or social conscience. Non-profits, education, and community work are obvious choices for meaningful work but Boomers are also finding meaning in starting their own businesses. Leading Edge (older)… Read More
Categories: Baby Boomers, Entrepreneurship, WorkplaceMultiple generations in the workplace is now a full scale reality for most. Because they are working side by side, CareerBuilder conducted a side-by-side comparison of Older Boomers’ and Millennials’ attitudes at work, finding both similarities and differences: • Both prefer face-to-face communication, Boomers (60%) slightly more than Millennials (55%). Millennials (35%) like email more than Boomers (28%) but both disdain the phone (<12%). • Boomers (62%) are more likely to say you should stay at job for 3 or more years than Millennials (53%). Millennials (47%) believe you should move up once you’ve learned enough. If you do your… Read More
Categories: Baby Boomers, Generations, WorkplaceFaced with bleak employment prospects and a business climate increasingly geared toward independent consultants, more and more Millennials are opting for freelance employment as independent contractors than ever before. In a recent Elance survey, 83% of Millennials said they expected freelancing to be part of their career path and only 27% said that they preferred traditional employment to freelancing. A majority of Millennials who are currently freelancing say that they prefer it to working for a single employer. In another look at the issue, the CEO of MBO Partners, a consulting firm, cites a 250% increase in the number of… Read More
Categories: Workplace