
How the Millennials Change the Perception of Workplaces in the Future
2018-11-08 - 5 min readAfter the baby boomer generation and X generation have mastered the world of work for years, now a new generation is here to change the rigid order of formation of the previous generation - for a better life. Generation Y - or commonly called millennials - are productive age groups born between 1980 and 2000. In their own professional world, millennials continue to experience a significant increase in numbers - especially in the area of startups.
It is estimated that by 2025, three quarters of all professions in the world will be filled by those from the millennial generation. The question is:
Can the business accommodate all of their needs at work? What do they really expect from their workplace?
In this article, I will discuss some things that will change in the world of work when millennials participate in business. Are you ready for your business to face drastic changes that will be present?
As a large generation with technology, millennials really understand that technology can help them to improve the quality of work. With technology, each worker can be connected to each other without limited space and time - thanks to the use of mobile technology that continues to grow rapidly.
Applications such as Telegram, Slack and LINE are an integral part of AcceptWork Indonesia millennial workers. With the help of these two tools, we have the ability to collaborate with each other without the hassle of exchanging documents manually between relevant departments.
We also need to thank the millennials for "laziness", because that might trigger them to create a solution to get things done faster, easier and more economically. Imagine a job that should have been completed for days, now it can be completed in just a few hours.
In some companies, the interview process using video streaming services has also become commonplace, because the company may not have the time and place to conduct interviews. On the other hand, a system like this also becomes an effective and cost-effective alternative to filter candidates for workers.
Unlike the previous generation - those who can't wait for five in the afternoon to rush in line at the absent machine and go home - millennials don't want their offices to feel like an unpleasant place. They want a work environment like their own home - where they can eat, drink, work, play and rest as they please.
Millennials know very well that they will spend a considerable amount of time completing their work. Therefore, they will try to build a pleasant working atmosphere.
Don't be surprised if you see a millennial who suddenly sleeps in the middle of work, or plays video games after sprinting with their team. They only do this so that their productivity is maintained.
To get the attention of the millennials, you can also bring excitement in the workplace with various facilities, including:
- Free snack bar
- Unlimited leave
- The opportunity to work remotely
- Gym facilities
- Gaming room
- Team dinner for all team members
Of course the above facilities must be present with clear terms and conditions so that there is no abuse from irresponsible parties.
For the millennial generation, self-development is one of the main things they pursue within an organization. Now more and more millennial workers are choosing to work while studying or running various trainings from companies rather than just spending their time on campus to study.
Before the millennials will choose to have a career, they will first maximize their potential to be sure of the career path they take. It is this self-development process that will help the millennials to process in forming their personalities and leadership - which will be useful for them when they lead a team or company.
But not only providing opportunities, business people also have to provide them with training in leadership and other personal development. Also, give them various books and various other learning materials that can help them to maximize their potential.
So ideally, a leader in a company must function like a coach or mentor, rather than be someone who is just telling without giving direction on how to solve it. As a mentor, the leadership will guide the millennials to complete their work and maximize their potential.
In most companies dominated by millennials as workers, maybe we would not expect that one of them is the CEO or other C-Level worker. This is because the millennials don't care too much about hierarchies in traditional organizations.
The elimination of this hierarchy greatly facilitates the millennials to collaborate with each other without the need to be reluctant to work with managers, leaders, or more senior workers.
In workplaces where workers are dominated by millennials, will work with other workers like a friend - who never feels awkward or has to follow certain instructions that are rigid and binding.
All can participate in making decisions. Everyone has a portion to build the company together. Even so, the organizational structure of the company still exists - it's just that its implementation is not as rigid as the corporation.
The presence of millennials at work brings its own color to the company. For businesses that are ready, millennials can become a separate asset for the company - thanks to their dynamic talents and personalities for all changes.