The Generation Yers, Netsters, Nexters or Millienials were born between 1981 and 1999 and comprise approximately 75 million people entering the workforce. They are perceived as wanting to make a difference and knowing that their work has value. They adapt rapidly, crave change and challenge, create constantly, are exceptionally resilient, committed and loyal when dedicated to an idea, cause or product, and are global in perspective. Like Gen Xers, Gen Yers also have grown up in an era of technology, are adept at multitasking, and their expectation for immediacy is driven by technological advancements in real-time media and communication.
"Generation Y’s Baby Boomer parents have nurtured and protected them, providing for their every emotional, educational and physical need and want. They have praised and rewarded their children for minimal effort and have increased the expectations of school and community in educating, entertaining and protecting their children. As a result, these young workers have high expectations of recognition and reward from others with minimal effort on their part. . . . These young workers seek their parents’ advice and approval and look to managers and supervisors to provide the same nurturing protection, advice and approval as their parents have.
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"For this generation, work is temporary and unreliable. They are less committed to an employer, sensing that employers are less committed to long-term employment. In some respects, this group is opportunistic and will job hop to meet their immediate wants, needs and goals.
"Generation Y workers have grown up playing on teams, they have been educated in a era of “a village raising a child” and “no child left behind” and in a changing demographic society where one in three classmates have been from a different racial, cultural or ethnic background. These young workers prefer to work in teams rather than individually and are easily accepting of diversity." (CookRoss, 2004.)
References:
Lancaster, L. & Stillman, D., “When Generations Collide: Why They Are. Why They Clash. How to Solve the Generational Puzzle at Work,” Harper Collins, 2002
Learner, N., “When Generations Meet on the Job,” The Christian Science Monitor, 2002,
http://www.scmonitor.com, p. 20
(No Author given), “Managing a Multigenerational Workforce, The Diversity Manager’s Toolkit,” 2004, Cook Ross, Inc.
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