How to work with Generation Y

[joeymom]

I am a CPA and recently opened a new office for my firm. I've hired 25 people, 9 who are just out of college. These young girls and guys are totally different than any other I've encountered...work ethic doesn't seem to be there, they are on the internet all day, text messaging throughout the day, etc. They are also very social and chatty during the day and don't even disperse when a manager comes near. Some don't show up at mandatory meetings...its just crazy! I've heard the "experts" say that Gen Y isn't lazy, they just work differently than Gen X and the baby boomers. Any thoughts or ideas on how to motivate this group of seemingly unmotivated people?!?!

 

[LaraK]

There is a really good book out there on Generational Differences...we actually brought one of the authors (an xer) in to speak with our management team. He said several things about the Millenniels(sp?) apparently they don't like to be called y's. He said that this is a generation that was empowered by their parents to make major family decisions from an early age, so they want to be involved in researching issues. He said that they've spent their whole life working in groups, so they don't work well alone (I like an office with walls and a door). They are used to instant feedback (which makes me nuts) so you have to help them store their thoughts and send an e-mail when they have at least several hours of information they need. They were also raised in an environment where they didn't get negative feedback (we're not keeping score in this game and everyone will get a ribbon just for playing) so when you give feedback, they may have never gotten negative feeback in their lives. Totally oposite of an xer who doesn't care about the nicey nicey stuff and wants to just get to the point of what can I do better.

 

[SplshMtn99]

I have encountered the same problems with the ones I have worked with too. I didn't have any luck. Yes, its annoying to be sitting there doing your work when others aren't. It was just one of the reasons I finally left after almost 12 yrs of it in a tiny office.

I'm sure they are not all that way, but the ones I have worked with have been.

 

[LaraK]

Here's the title....it was really helpful.

When Generations Collide: Who They Are. Why They Clash. How to Solve the Generational Puzzle at Work.

the authors are David Stillman (who spoke at my company) and Lynne Lancaster

It's $12 on Amazon.

 

[Hedy]

I am a CPA and recently opened a new office for my firm. I've hired 25 people, 9 who are just out of college. These young girls and guys are totally different than any other I've encountered...work ethic doesn't seem to be there, they are on the internet all day, text messaging throughout the day, etc. They are also very social and chatty during the day and don't even disperse when a manager comes near. Some don't show up at mandatory meetings...its just crazy! I've heard the "experts" say that Gen Y isn't lazy, they just work differently than Gen X and the baby boomers. Any thoughts or ideas on how to motivate this group of seemingly unmotivated people?!?!

Erm, as a Gen Yer-why are you employing people who don't show up for manadatory meetings? That's not a generation gap, it's not doing your job.

 

[joeymom]

Oh, what a relief...a Gen Y who agrees that mandatory means you have to do something!
To answer your question, Hedy, I certainly don't hire people thinking they won't do their job properly. Its also difficult to fire people who otherwise seem to capable of performing their job when there is a ton of work that needs to be done. I am looking for advice on how to communicate and motivate this group - that book sounds like a good place to start. Thanks!

 

[Cindy B]

As a full time college student, (as a Gen X'er) I see this happening all the time on campus.

These young people--are genuinely lazy. I see them texting during lectures, using cell phones during class and in some class IM'ing one another during class! Yet these students are the first to complain about poor grades or some perceived unfairness.

I have worked my butt off to get where I am in school. In fact, the semester just began 2 weeks ago, and one of my professors stated today she was thrilled to have a non traditional student (me) in her class. The professor asked me for any feedback I could give her and asked me if the class was relevant! --she's not a new professor either!

I have to say--Its challenging doing school work or group work with these individuals. For some, its like pulling teeth. If I didn't have other factors (family, husband, work) and could just concentrate in school--I sure wouldn't be whining!

The professors at my school refuse to water down instruction for this instant gratification age group. The ask for reasonable deadlines for work. Most younger students complain, but honestly the workload isn't hideous.

 

[MushyMushy]

As a full time college student, (as a Gen X'er) I see this happening all the time on campus.

These young people--are genuinely lazy. I see them texting during lectures, using cell phones during class and in some class IM'ing one another during class! Yet these students are the first to complain about poor grades or some perceived unfairness.

I have worked my butt off to get where I am in school. In fact, the semester just began 2 weeks ago, and one of my professors stated today she was thrilled to have a non traditional student (me) in her class. The professor asked me for any feedback I could give her and asked me if the class was relevant! --she's not a new professor either!

I have to say--Its challenging doing school work or group work with these individuals. For some, its like pulling teeth. If I didn't have other factors (family, husband, work) and could just concentrate in school--I sure wouldn't be whining!

The professors at my school refuse to water down instruction for this instant gratification age group. The ask for reasonable deadlines for work. Most younger students complain, but honestly the workload isn't hideous.

I was a non-trad student too and I hated working with younger students for group work!

I remember one time, there was a group of five of us -- 3 non-trads and 2 young students. They showed up at the meetings, but refused to do any research or work. So, basically the 3 of us doing the work, said, "Here you go, this is what you need to do." They thought that we would end up doing the work for them and when it came time to present the material, they were so MAD that we left THEM hanging with nothing to present! The professor, although she had originally told the class that everyone in the group would receive the same grade, gave 3 of us As and 2 of them Ds (hey, they did show up for meetings, LOL).

 

[Mickeyluver37]

I think it's also the nature of public accounting. What you are describing is my office, but mine is a bit bigger. Turnover is huge- not very many stick it out to the manager level, and as a growing office/firm, you have to "flood the bottom." I've seen a steady increase in this type of behavior the past few years. I found it surreal when I first started working there! It almost seems like it's an extension of college.

I can understand your frustration from your perspective, but for me, quite honestly, I think it's a fun environment to work in. It's so much better than a stuffy, cutthroat environment. It's busy season, and we see these people way more than we see our own families, and it's nice to be somewhat relaxed.

 

[M 'n C]

I work at a Big 4 and we just had a motivational speaker come talk to us about generational gaps. What he would characterize each generation it was so right on. I could definetly see the character traits in the partner on my job (baby boomer) vs. the new staff (me and 2 other coworkers) as gen y'ers. One of the hardest things my firm is trying to do is shift their thinking into a more work-life balance because my group coming up values more quality time outside of work than being workaholics and identifying with our job.

I think a book would be a good starting place. I wish I remembered the guy's name that spoke to us because I'm sure he has a book out but the name escapes me. I'll see if I can dig through old email to find it.

 

[MyGoofy26]

I was a non-trad student too and I hated working with younger students for group work!

I remember one time, there was a group of five of us -- 3 non-trads and 2 young students. They showed up at the meetings, but refused to do any research or work. So, basically the 3 of us doing the work, said, "Here you go, this is what you need to do." They thought that we would end up doing the work for them and when it came time to present the material, they were so MAD that we left THEM hanging with nothing to present! The professor, although she had originally told the class that everyone in the group would receive the same grade, gave 3 of us As and 2 of them Ds (hey, they did show up for meetings, LOL).

I always hated group projects for this very reason. . . I don't want my grades to depend on someone I don't know. The last class I had that had group projects, the professor was really good about it. At the end of the project we had to email her our "evaluations" of everyone else in the group. She'd then grade each person accordingly based on not only the project, but the response from the other group members as to how that person worked.

 

[Forevryoung]

I am a generation-y'er and it bugs the crap out of me that my peers are dumb and lazy (even at good colleges/universities). They whine about doing minimal assigned work and try to finagle deadlines constantly (sometimes it's necessary but thats a different story). If something is too dificult they just don't do it. They expect someone else to do it for them.

Unfortunately, we grew up in the "everyone is special" mentality- Our parents wanted us to succeed at everything we tried so there became no chance of failure.

The BIGGEST problem and the one that bothers me the most is that parents whined or complained when their children didn't get their way (bad grade, didnt make the team...). Parents are/were always stepping in. This created a situation where people older than us expected to just deal with our PARENTS instead of us when there is a problem.

I hate my generation- one more reason why I'm dating a guy 19 years older than me

 

[RNMOM]

I feel no matter what generation you are from, you should have to meet certain goals and work in certain ways or you job should be in jeopardy.

I would suggest a clear set of goals and expectations each employee gets and is responsible for knowing. In healthcare we have policies and proceedures that each staff member is responsible for signing off that they are aware of and it is legally binding.

I would also suggest you have small group meetings frequently and discuss the issues. Acknowledge how they behave. Acknowledge that work is or is not being done and how that can/ must change. Let them discuss the right and wrong ways and what they would like to see and then decide if that is possible or if they need to conform. Then, fire their butts. Sorry, once people know what is expected of them there is no excuse not to perform the job.

I really hated my last work situation because we couldn't have personal discussions and were being spied on and snitched on. It was horrible. We had animosity and fear rampant. That is why I chose to leave my job of 8.5 years that I truely loved. Give them a chance to adjust and maybe relax a little on some of the email/iming and such. Maybe set up appropriate time limits or times of day that is acceptable and when it is not. Explain how it is important to be busy and work hard so they can get ahead and the company can succeed. Set consequences such as monitoring computer use, etc. Most companies do this anyway and most seem to be limiting internet access.

I have felt for a long time we do our children a huge disservice the way schools and society treat them and it seems I might be right.

 

[iloveboardwalk]

I think many, many more jobs should be commission based. There is no better motivator. At my company, there is no need to worry about the lazy ones, they will leave after a few months of zero income.

I have found, by the way, that lazy people come from all generations.

 

[Mysteria]

Fire them all. There are no excuses for bad work ethics. Gen Y...Ya here is Y they should not be working for you.

Myst

 

[Disney Doll]

Fire a few of them. The ones that are left will either straighten up of will find a job elsewhere and annoy someone else. I have a friend that owns his own business. He has a lot of Gen-Y'ers working for him. He fires one every so often... with good reason of course, but fires them as opposed to giving them umpteen zillion chances to "do better" like their Mommy and Daddy used to. He is always amazed at how efficient the rest of them become when one gets fired. Especially when they are in their 20's, "independent adults" renting their first apartment and realize that the rent is due whether they have a job or not.

Sorry...but there's a difference between having a work/life balance and goofing off. When you're at work, you have certain goals and repsonsibilities, and they need to be met. If they are not, you are not doing your job and therefore should be fired. That doesn't mean that one needs to work 95 hours per week, but if one's work week is 40 hours, then one should actually be working 40 hours every week and not just text messaging one's friends from a different location.

PS-I'm 44, so I don't what generation I am in...maybe the tail end of the Baby Boomers????

 

[wendy46001]

Fire a few of them. The ones that are left will either straighten up of will find a job elsewhere and annoy someone else.

That’s what we do....fire the worst of the group....the rest get the message to straighten up or get out...Also put a fire wall on the computer...cuts a lot of the chat time out...Higher ups in the office get unlimited access, the kids or people who have been reported w/issues get locked down....(hehe...i of course get unlimited access)

 

[EthansMom]

Personally, I agree with setting up a firewall to limit access to IM and non-work-related websites. I would also send out an office-wide email or memo letting employees know what expectations are (attendance at meetings, only work-related email/internet).

Document infractions and fire the worst offender(s).

I worked at one company (about 10 years ago) where a male employee accidentally sent an inappropriate joke email to the wrong person (a female employee he didn't know). He was fired the next day. I'd be willing to bet that inappropriate emails dropped WAY off after that.

 

[Hannathy]

First thing that came to my mind is who's the boss? If they work for you and you aren't happy- why not. It doesn't sound like this is a huge company where you have no say but even there don't you do their evaluations? Aren't they on probation or don't they do that anymore? Does the company have a policy on IMing or e-mails if not write one circulate it then start monitoring it. Just document everything or else Mommy or Daddy will be suing you! This group is so spoiled they never had to worry about getting a job heck McD's is paying more than min. because they need so many people so they just quit their jobs when the schedule didn't work. I remember being one of 25 or so applying for one opening when I was in High school. Sadly I don't think it is going to get much better. After all this generation has repeatedly been told "you can do anything you want" which isn't true, and just being there is good enough- it isn't and they are always right, they aren't. Good Luck!

 

[Maleficent13]

Here's my take.

Is the work getting done? Chatting, texting, surfing pushed all to the side for a minute...is the actual work getting actually done? If it is, then I do not see the problem. I am not a micromanager. Show me the correct results at the end of the week and I don't care how you got there or how long it took you.

I am a rare one, I admit. I am not paying you for 40 hours; I am paying you to do X job. If you can do X job and text your friends, good for you.