Surviving Generation-Y

Companies across the globe are just beginning to wake up to the havoc that the newest generation of workers is causing in offices across the globe.

Managers are faced with an influx of millions of children of baby boomers, born between 1978 and 2000 who are entering the work force chain.

This means four generations of workers are now being asked to co-exist at once: they are the traditionalists (born before 1945); the boomers (1946-1964), generation X (1965-1977) and the millennials – also known as generation-Y because they never stop questioning the status quo.

The latest generation to join the office mix is disruptive not just because of its size but because of its attitude. Millennials aren't interested in financial success or independence but in careers that are personalised. More important they want it right now. Why? Because thanks to their over-involved boomer parents, the Millennial cohort has been coddled and pumped up to believe they can achieve anything.

These people want feedback daily, not annually – and just in case it's not clear, millennials are fearless and to the point.

But as Neil Cassie explores in this thought-provoking piece for us, companies are going to have to adapt if they want to attract, retain, manage and motivate this next generation of workers because it is they who will dominate the workforce for the next 70 years or so.

His suggestion? If you really want prepare your organisation to deal with the havoc that the newest generation of workers is causing in offices across the globe, try taking your leadership team and the HR Director shopping . . .

Neil Cassie | Avoiding the stress of Generation Why"