10 Silly Myths About Millennial Employees
Kids these days.
Us older employers are doing a lot of hand-wringing about Millennials. Apparently, they present unique challenges for us poor employers. I thought I’d check the validity of the most common claims:
“Millennials feel entitled”
Yeah they do. To higher pay. Did you ever say, “Gee, thanks, boss, but I’m making enough money. No need for that raise.”
Didn’t think so.
They feel entitled to a high quality of life. That shocks me. I, for one, feel my quality of life should suck. That’s why I drive a BMW.
Aside from a tiny group of amazing people, we all feel entitled. Millennials are hardly unique.
“Millennials don’t like committees or meetings”
I nearly swallowed my molars the first time I heard this one. I was a history major. I dug back about 500 years. I couldn’t find one person celebrating committees or meetings.
Except maybe the Marquis de Sade, who venerated most forms of suffering.
“Millennials are selfish”
This one just confuses me. Here’s why:
My company (Portent) has recently caught a pregnancy virus: 10% of my team or their significant others are procreating. Yes, I know, you’re leaving behind someone, fighting mortality, kids are cute, blah blah blah.
Kids start out excreting everywhere. They move on to wrecking your car. All along the way, they make you watch as they repeat your mistakes. An intelligent person who decides to undertake that process isn’t selfish.
They may be utterly insane. They’re not selfish.
“Millennials wear headphones at work”
I have no comment. I didn’t hear you. I’m wearing headphones.
“Millennials aren’t team players”
Oh, bull poopies. Employers generally suck at creating good teams. It’s easier to blame that on the employees. So we do.
Give those young whippersnappers a good team and they’re just as dedicated to it as us old folk.
“Millennials don’t use the phone”
OK, this is true. They like to use text messaging. When phones were invented, employees stopped using telegraphs. When I got a fax machine, I used snail mail less.
I’ve also given up my horse and carriage for these newfangled automobiles. You should try one.
“Millennials are tied to their screens”
If at the age of 27, I could’ve carried my TV around with me, I would’ve stumbled into traffic or fallen out a 30th story window while watching Star Trek.
I’m frankly amazed anyone gets anything done. Props to all those young people.
“Millennials spend all their time on social media”
I’ve caught myself saying this a few times: I’m paying them! And they’re on Facebook! What the hell!!!!
I don’t see how this is unique. I once got a formal reprimand for calling friends while at work. I also got a stern finger-wagging for sending personal e-mail. My bosses probably complained, “Those damned Gen Xers. They waste all their time on e-mail!”
Is your company profitable? Let it go. Is your enterprise unprofitable? You have bigger problems than people posting selfies and watching fail videos.
“Millennials are lazy”
I won’t dignify this with an answer.
“Millennials have no loyalty”
I’ve had millennial employees stand by Portent through thick and thing, recessions and layoffs, infuriating projects, my temper tantrums and everything else reality can throw at us.
Whatever.
(One question)
Can someone please tell me what years define “millennials?”
We’re soooo predictable
We complain about the younger generation: They’re lazy, they’re disrespectful, blah blah etc. etc..
Can’t we at least be original?!
Someone once said:
“The children now love luxury. They have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise.”
That was Socrates.
Damn kids.
