6 Key Traits of Millennials in the Workplace

In the last few decades, the world of work has changed dramatically. Computers have long been an accepted feature of office life, but now, with the rise of cloud storage solutions and an increase in the use of tablets, many offices are now going paper-free. There is less need to print documents and, as such, many organizations can now minimize their reliance on physical reports and statistics. Another significant change is that the millennial generation is now forming a greater part of the overall workforce. Millennials were born between the 1980s and the early yearsthat followed the new millennium. In America today, it is estimated that 35% of the total workforce is comprised of millennials. This makes them the largest group of workers and statistics suggest that, by 2025, millennials will make up 75% of the total workforce. It is recognized that the millennial generation has a range of different traits and values that distinguishes them from the previous generations of workers. The way they view employment and what they want from their careers may be different from the workforce that came before. This article explains six traits of millennials in the workplace and how their needs and values may differ, as a result.

Lifelong Learning

The definition of lifelong learning is as you might expect if you are unfamiliar with the term. It is thephilosophy that learning and education continue throughout a person’s life and is not simply limited to the time spent in the formal education systems of schools, colleges, and universities.Subscribing to the philosophy of lifelong learning means that you will seek out new opportunities to gain new skills and knowledge wherever possible and from a wide range of sources. Some of this learning will be self-directed. The millennial generation embraces the concept of lifelong learning more than any other generation that has preceded them. This is great news for employers, as it means that the millennial workforce will seek out opportunities for self-development at work and relish the idea of learning new skills and concepts. Every business owner knows that a highly educated workforce can be instrumental in the overall success of the organization. As millennials form a greater part of the working population,they will likely become one of the most skilled sections of the workforce, holding in-depth knowledge and expertise in their chosen field of work.

Embracing Technology

The millennial generation grew up in a time when the internet was already present in many households and mobile phones were commonplace. They are the first generation to grow up with this technology available to them since birth. As a result of this,most millennials are extremely adept with technology and fully embrace its various forms. In the workplace, millennials tend to be ,competent with all forms of IT and can often work to a high standard at speed and with great accuracy. This gives the millennial generation the potential to become some of the most productive workers in any occupation that requires frequent tech usage. Millennials may also have experience with coding and programming and, as such, they may excel at tasks that require forms of these skills, such as data analysis and web design.

Modern Office Design

In recent years, many employers have asked themselves, “do millennials influence office design?”The answer is that they do. Traditional office layouts commonly had cubicles for workers and separate enclosed offices for more senior members of staff. However, the millennial generation tends not to like this type of office layout, as it can stifle communication and the sharing of ideas. Millennials often prefer open-plan office layouts that allow a more collaborative environment, which helps them to work more effectively. As a result of this, many employers are now taking steps to redesign outdated offices and move to a more open-plan setup to get the best out of their millennial workforce.

Work with a Purpose

Previous generations at work may have been able to accept the idea of undertaking tasks that had little purpose or result. It could be difficult to see how such tasks tied in with corporate goals or the overall functioning of a business. However, as a rule, most millennials need to see how the tasks they undertake fit with the overall purpose of an organization. If they find that they are doing tasks that have little purpose, they may become demoralized and demotivated. In addition, the company they work for must have a purpose that is worthwhile and makes a difference to the wider community.

Socially and Environmentally Aware

As well as working for a company that has a real purpose and meaningful goals millennials seek to work for an organization that is environmentally andsocially responsible. Companies that pollute excessively or do not seek to minimize waste are often avoided as career options for the millennial generation. This is because most millennials are acutely aware of the effects of climate change and global warming that are beginning to have an impact on the planet. They will actively seek out socially and environmentally aware companies to work for, as this can be a key motivating factor that allows them to work their hardest for an organization. In addition, the millennial generation is likely to choose shops and establishments that have strong social and environmental goals to trade with. Put simply, a company that is operating in a socially and environmentally responsible fashion will attract the most talented millennial workers.

Flexible Working Patterns

As a final key trait, it should be recognized that millennials do not see the need for traditional 9-5, Monday to Friday patterns of work. Their attitude is that both the working and social worlds need to adhere to rigid timeframes. As such, they are more likely to thrive in a working environment that promotes flexible hours of work. Hybrid and remote models of work are also favoured by millennials, as these models allow them to gain a greater balance between their working and personal lives. Employers should seek to offer opportunities for flexible working and should allow options for hybrid or fully remote positions to attract and retain the millennial generation.