TerraConnecta Blog

Changing relationships towards work…. a generational issue ?

18-35 years old, called generation Y or the « millenium generation » tend to be engaged in a different relationship to work than their parents who are part of the boomer generation.
The Y generation has experienced globalization of the economy and information technologies in a relatively stable environment. As a consequence, generation Y sees the world as borderless, is rather optimistic, highly connected and knowledgeable.

Patt Cottingham a brand evolution specialist explains that generation Y live their lives as a ” seamless experience” without much distinction in between work and personal life.

Gen “Why”-ers think first about where they want to live and what kind of lifestyle they want to lead. Then they place their careers into that context and find jobs. They believe that life is to be enjoyed and see no reason why they can’t balance work, family and personal lives. This idea of “enjoyment first” is often hard for senior “boomer” managers to understand and can create misunderstandings in the recruitment and integration process.
At Terra Connecta we have noticed that recruitment processes can fail when senior managers tend to interpret requests for empowerment from generation Y as a lack of humility and patience which is not necessarily the case.

Generation Y candidates tend to ask for jobs in which they can be creative and express themselves immediately, meaning they want flexibility, freedom and responsibility, but not to the detriment of performance. Generation Y is equally conscious that in a highly competitive market everyone needs to be committed to deliver results.

In order to breach the generational gap at work a collaboration compromise can be found if generation X accepts to coach and groom generation Y to make sure that they are well equipped to assume their hunger for freedom at work.

Sibylle

Tags: Employer Branding, generation Y, International Recruitment Challenges, Terra connecta, work/life balance