How to work with Generation Y

[joeymom]

I've learned a lot from the responses..thanks! To answer some questions, I am the one who hires and fires...I'm not inclined to fire everyone, though, I'd be left with 250 audits to do all by myself! In theory, I agree with the idea that if the work is getting done, don't worry about what else they are doing. However, this time of year is extremely busy...it will be months before anyone can say they have all their work done so goofing off is ok. I ask for 45-50 hour work weeks with flexible hours when most other managing partners are demanding 60-80 hours with fixed hours. I believe that with such a low hours requirement, there is plenty of time for goofing off outside the office! Bob Slydell is right - the biggest issue is that I can't bill my client for hours upon hours of unproductive time. Since I have a lot of new people, I already have to make adjustments for the learning curve! Any other suggestions or advice is appreciated...thanks!

 

[NotUrsula]

It's very possible that they have no idea that these behaviors are being seen by you as a problem -- just cluelessness. You might try reiterating the rules in writing and having each person sign it so that they are definitely aware. (You'll have to have everyone do this, not just the problem people.)

You can also throw around some humor -- if you see them hanging out chatting in the hall about their social lives, toss out a "back to the salt mines, people" as you walk by.

You *did* tell them what the minimum billable hours would be for retention when they were hired, right? If not, you should do so ASAP -- if they haven't heard it from an official source, they may think that the 45-50 number is an exaggeration or just a goal to be strived for, as opposed to a target that will get them fired if they don't hit it.

 

[SplshMtn99]

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.

I agree with relaxed, but the place I left a year ago after almost 12 years became TOO relaxed. Out of 6 employees, MOST times, there were just 2 or 3 of us there....and sometimes just me. One person (sales) would come in MAYBE 3 hrs a MONTH. I'm not kidding. And the boss would show up when he felt like it. This was going on for a couple of years. I finally complained when boss started complaining about something not getting done, and he said if I didn't like it, there's the door. So, I quit. I was the go to person, the one with authority if he wasn't there, the one who knew everything, the one there the longest. Joke was on him, because he had to come to work now because I wasn't there.
He also had some explaining to do once the owners caught wind.

The thing was, I'm sure he said it out of frustration with the situation HE created & was a part of, but I was frustrated too by working my butt of & now being complained about. He HONESTLY thought I was coming back into work the next day. My co-workers told me he was so surprised & didn't know what to do when I didn't show up. lol Because then he was left with a total of 5 people...and only 2 who usually show up & 3 who don't show up.

 

[MUFFYCAT]

I'm in my mid 40's and been with my company for 23 years.
I can't believe the atitudes on some, not all of the young people.

They have no regard to values and responsibilities of the job.

I just think if i did what they do years ago, i'd be fired.

 

[SplshMtn99]

So if I'm being paid to do the job whether it takes me 40 hrs or less, then I guess gone is the day where if I finished my work, I would go help a co-worker with something. I guess I can just play on the internet now?

OBVIOUSLY, I was born in an older generation (1964). Because, if I ever finished up early, I helped someone else. Heck, I even took work home if WE (the office) were behind.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

First, yes I understand about billable hours. They do need to hit that, I agree, of course!

You can also throw around some humor -- if you see them hanging out chatting in the hall about their social lives, toss out a "back to the salt mines, people" as you walk by.

I would view a comment like that as passive aggressive and not humorous. I chat with coworkers, but I don't do it all day, it would irk me that the ONE break I took resulted in that comment. But that's just me.

So if I'm being paid to do the job whether it takes me 40 hrs or less, then I guess gone is the day where if I finished my work, I would go help a co-worker with something. I guess I can just play on the internet now?

OBVIOUSLY, I was born in an older generation (1964). Because, if I ever finished up early, I helped someone else. Heck, I even took work home if WE (the office) were behind.

My position is a specialized position (I am basically my own department and then oversee some administration staff). Nobody else can really do my work (besides my boss and he doesn't have time), and while I can help some others with their work, people tend to be territorial and also have some specialized duties. I guess what I am saying is in theory sharing tasks sounds good but in reality it doesn't always work, espcially in niche atmospheres. Also I think it's easier for support staff to share tasks than for management.

But then I am a gen-Xer with some Gen Y leanings.

 

[lovemygoofy]

This is a great article about understanding Gen Y

http://www.usatoday.com/money/workplace/2005-11-06-gen-y_x.htm

It really does a good job on touching on the difference of the other generations compared to this one.

 

[SplshMtn99]

I would view a comment like that as passive aggressive and not humorous. I chat with coworkers, but I don't do it all day, it would irk me that the ONE break I took resulted in that comment. But that's just me.
My position is a specialized position (I am basically my own department and then oversee some administration staff). Nobody else can really do my work (besides my boss and he doesn't have time), and while I can help some others with their work, people tend to be territorial and also have some specialized duties. I guess what I am saying is in theory sharing tasks sounds good but in reality it doesn't always work, espcially in niche atmospheres. Also I think it's easier for support staff to share tasks than for management.

But then I am a gen-Xer with some Gen Y leanings.

Yes, I understand helping out others isn't always do-able in all industries. My background is service type industries (but also management) such as banking & insurance. So, it was always possible to help someone out by doing something for them. Even as simple as copying or filing. Low jobs, I know. But the act of helping always builds a team atmosphere more than someone working while someone surfs the web. Its just been my experiece, that's all. But I do understand.

I know some will find this funny, but my VERY first job at 16 was McDonald's. I have to say, that BACK THEN, they had pretty good work ethics & training. Not sure about today though. Anyway, there was a phrase, "If you have time to lean, you have time to clean." I guess that stuck with me all these years, along with my parents teachings of course. I guess I'm just one who will always work those 40 hours & plus sometimes. Now, of course, I'm not saying I wouldn't chat some too, but I couldn't see myself surfing the web knowing that others are working & I could help them. And I can say, that I have received help in return....maybe because of that.

 

[dngrmys]

I would imagine that every generation has the same complaints about the upcoming one.

The fact it, with texting, Facbook, MySpace and IMs, we are increasingly living in a networked society and I would imagine the Generation Y'ers will use that efficiently and to their advantage when it comes getting work done.

To the OP comment, their laziness is probably stemmed from more of a lack or purpose than distraction. It might take them a while to find their niche, and they know that if they aren't happy working for you or you aren't happy with them, they can just go out and find something else. Loyalty is not what it used to be, so they dont have as much to prove to their bosses.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

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.

I disagree. I think there is a time and a place for everything, and I would not do the above at work, just like I don't file my nails, call people on my cell/text, etc. at work. If my work is completed and I have nothing do to I find something constructive to do pertaining to work. If I am being paid for 8 hours then those 8 hours are going to be filled with work.

Just a Gen. X-ers opinion

 

[Maleficent13]

I disagree. I think there is a time and a place for everything, and I would not do the above at work, just like I don't file my nails, call people on my cell/text, etc. at work. If my work is completed and I have nothing do to I find something constructive to do pertaining to work. If I am being paid for 8 hours then those 8 hours are going to be filled with work.

Just a Gen. X-ers opinion

That is fine for you personally. That is not how I manage. We probably wouldn't mesh well in a work area.

 

[JunieJay]

Some Marketers call the group you mention (Approx 1955-1964) "The Jones Generation." It comes from the term "Keeping up with the Jones's." That led to having a "Jones" or strong yearning for something (I have a love Jones, Basketball Jones , Me and Mrs. Jones, etc.). We wanted everything our neighbors had or wanted it before our neighbors had it.

Check this out: http://archives.cnn.com/2000/ALLPOLITICS/stories/03/05/generation.jones/index.html

Very interesting, thanks. I guess some parts of that resonate for me, others maybe not as much.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

That is fine for you personally. That is not how I manage. We probably wouldn't mesh well in a work area.

Hmmm, ok. So because I don't surf the internet, text friends, play games on my cell phone in the workplace we wouldn't mesh well? Allrighty then.

 

[Maleficent13]

Of course, that is exactly what I meant.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Ok, so be it.