Gen Y changing workplace
GENERATION Y, those born between 1978 and 1994, is making its mark on the workplace, with different goals and approaches to work than their Generation X and Baby Boomer co-workers.
A survey commissioned by International Customer Service Professionals revealed that 67 per cent of Generation Ys plan to change jobs within the next 12 months and 91 per cent within the next 1-2 years.
More than 75 per cent say they intend doing further study within the next 2-5 years, more than 75 per cent are interested in job training and more than 70 per cent intend getting married before they turn 30 years of age.
The results show that most see themselves in a different career in two years time, travelling and working overseas, studying at a tertiary institution or running their own small business.
The ICSP survey was conducted as part of its National Customer Service Week from October 3-7.
The week's convenor Tricia Olsen said that, in the light of the statistics revealed in the survey, business needed to adjust the way it was approaching management of young people.
"The survey indicates young people want to learn, they want face-to-face workplace communication rather than e-mail, they want management to trust them to self manage, all want workplace performance feedback and they want strong leadership,'' Ms Olsen said.
There were 230 respondents from around Australia to the ICSP online 32-question survey.
More than 90 per cent of respondents have a job, with 88 per cent in full-time employment and 12 per cent working on a part-time and/or casual basis.
The survey also found that the three most important motivators at work were a good manager, positive work environment and a work/life balance.
It showed Generation Y believes flexibility must be based on a ``trust system'', which includes the ability to do a job without being micro-managed by a manager or supervisor.
Their three key values were trust, loyalty and honesty and their principal loyalty at work was to the team they belonged to and a good manager.
The survey showed that 96 per cent said a balanced lifestyle was important because it enabled mental and physical health.
Many had observed their parents suffer "burn out'', relationship and health issues due to prolonged periods of working long hours.
Generation Y's motto seems to be "you work to live, not live to work''.
"Generation Y: Thriving and Surviving With Generation Y at Work'', a new book by Peter Sheahan, found a lack of understanding and increasing tension between many older managers and their younger employees was threatening to leave Australian companies with massive workforce shortages in the near future.
Mr Sheahan, an expert on Generation Y, said employers were finding it increasingly difficult to understand and deal with younger workers.
"Our workforce is ageing rapidly and in 2008 more Australians will leave the workforce than enter it for the first time in history,'' Mr Sheahan said.
"The most pressing workforce challenge confronting the Australian business community is how to attract, manage and retain the new generation of talent.
"The companies that will successfully wage the war for this talent will be those that understand and accept that Generation Ys bring radically different demands and expectations to the workplace than previous generations.''
They have been called lazy, impatient and overly confident and their expectations and demands often exceed their skills but Mr Sheahan said Generation Y provided a unique opportunity for businesses -- if engaged properly."Gen Y are at total ease with new technology, they're multi-skilled and they are risk takers who embrace change,'' Mr Sheahan said.
"They're perfectly suited for the workplace of the future which will be characterised by rapid technological advancement, continual change and uncertainty.''
Mr Sheahan said Generation Y employees were attracted to meaningful and challenging roles in fun, team-orientated environments that offered flexible working arrangements.
Mr Sheahan, a former New South Wales Young Entrepreneur of the Year and best selling author of four books, has worked with more than 165,000 young people across Australia in various settings.
The Courier-Mail,November 5 2005.
