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We grew up with technology, and information at our fingertips. We have more knowledge than any generation before us.
We grew up expressing our opinions and point of view. We expect to be heard, and our thoughts considered, even if not acted upon.
We grew up with a sense of success. A knowledge that we can be whatever we want, with hard work and determination. That we shouldn't settle.
Recent events like Columbine and 9/11 made us realize life is short, more so then any threats in the past (cold war, etc) as these hit home. Because of this, we don't put work ahead of friends and family.
We multi-task. Just because we appear distracted by music, and other stimuli, doesn't mean we aren't still working efficiently and effectively. This is how we grew up.
We know our abilities and limits, and how we work best. We don't work well chained to a desk 9-5. We need freedom.
How do you explain to an employer that his workforce (all 20 somethings) that there management style is costing them employees. They aren't leaving because they are "young and immature" but that they are quiting and seeking employment elsewhere because of you. Because you don't challenge them with work that enables them to learn. That watching the clock like a hawk discourages them and ultimately decreases there productivity. That stifling their ideas and creativity destroys their moral.
As you might have guessed. I'm in that situation now... My boss (company owner), comes from a communist country. He feels he gives his employees a lot. When in reality, he gives the minimum the laws allow. You work 9-5:30, with two 15 minute breaks (which he threatens to take away if you happen to take 16 minutes, literally!) You get 30 minutes of unpaid lunch, and it's near impossible to actually go out if you want to run an errand or meet someone. It's so quiet it's like a church! Talking to coworkers while working is discouraged. All his employees are in their 20s. We have to arrange and pay for our own coffee service, and he insists the coffee maker be unplugged evenings and weekends, so when you get in on Monday, it's an hour wait for coffee....just what you want on a Monday morning. If you go above and beyond and make a project better (because you were given no scope in the first place) you are called into the office and lectured. Don't even think about calling in sick unless you're dead...while we get a mind blowing 4 days a year, when you try to use one, you end up feeling guilty and can end up coming into work. Miss your normal break time because you're working, and don't even think about taking it later...no way. You end up watching the clock all day and killing your train of thought just so you get your break, which ultimately, slows down your work. And don't even think about telling your boss he's wrong...even if it's an absolute and you prove it...it takes an hour to dig your way out of the hole, and you end up having to do it his way anyhow, only for it to fail, and THEN you get the blame when it fails...after all, you worked on it.
I could rant for hours...
Would you believe this is an IT company?!?!
Is this a total lost cause? Or is there a way to open this employers eyes to reality. That giving us the bare minimum only ensures we give the bare minimum in return?
...put the coffee maker on a timer...
The worst part is that the boss actully makes him *pay* for the coffee. Can you believe it? That's clearly a case of workplace abuse if i've ever seen one. I have NEVER had to pay for coffee. I wouldn't even ask at the interview. I would just assume it's free, like it's supposed to be.
One easy fix for one of Gibble's grumbles would be to put the coffee maker on a timer so there's fresh coffee ready when people arrive on Monday mornings.
Haven't found a timer that lets you set the day of the week as well yet. The timers I've found are all 24/hr, so currently it comes on an hour before we arrive, and shuts off near the end of the day, but we have to unplug it when we leave Friday.
But, obviously, this is a minor detail.
After the pop-up hell they put us all through a few years ago, I'm hesitant to mention that X10 offers such a product. (And has for over 20 years - my unit is still working fine after a couple of decades.)
Losers whine about problems. Winner solve them.
Which are you?
Those of us in our 20's, who have to work for someone probably know what I mean. We're different than our older coworkers, we need to be managed differently.
Baloney. The one big difference I see that is overall that those in their 20's think that they 'deserve' more, even though they have done nothing to earn it.
We grew up with technology, and information at our fingertips. We have more knowledge than any generation before us....his workforce (all 20 somethings) that there management style is costing them employees. They aren't leaving because they are "young and immature" but that they are quiting...
More baloney. In fact, from personal observation of a very mixed age workforce at our and other companies, you have LESS 'knowledge'. You have access to more information, faster - but a lot of what you 'know' is very superficial. And a large part of what you know is totally irrelevant to the job you were hired to do. And two words spelled wrong in one sentence does not back up your claim very well.
We grew up expressing our opinions and point of view. We expect to be heard, and our thoughts considered, even if not acted upon.
Hmm.. I think I heard this same refrain in the 60's.
We grew up with a sense of success. A knowledge that we can be whatever we want, with hard work and determination. That we shouldn't settle.
And quite rapidly that 'sense of success' hits the brick wall of reality. For all the talk of 'growing up with technology', I am continually surprised at how many in their 20's simply cannot grasp how that technology actually works. This thread relates directly to that [webmasterworld.com...]
We multi-task. Just because we appear distracted by music, and other stimuli, doesn't mean we aren't still working efficiently and effectively. This is how we grew up.
Yet more baloney. Personal observation and common news reports of car wrecks due to skill at multitasking on cell phones belies that.
..and he insists the coffee maker be unplugged evenings and weekends...
For one that is supposedly from the 'green generation', you don't seem to understand much about energy conservation. If it bothers you so much, buy a freeking $10 timer.
While your particular boss might be well off the deep end, I have yet to see much that makes me think that your generation is really all that much different from the previous 40,000 or so.
More so the cheapness of not springing for a little electricity.
This from the same generation that insists that "someone do something about global warming'.
Yet you are unwilling to do anything on your own part to become more energy efficient.
More so the cheapness of not springing for a little electricity.
What makes you think it's not a safety issue? Haven't you seen Clerks II?
No answer required, really, I already know what it is.
Rather than offer something useful....
Perhaps it's a good idea to get right to the point then, what kind of response, answer, or reply were you expecting?
Those more experienced - okay, all us old farts - have tried to sympathize with your situation and relate that we've all gone through this. (= condescending)
Your contemporaries have come right out and indicated your oversights. We haven't does so because we have learned to be diplomatic and "polite" in our old age. :-)
So what are you looking for?
because we have learned to be diplomatic and "polite" in our old age. :-)
I am old enough to where I have pretty much UN-learned all that.
I am no longer very diplomatic, nor do I tolerate whiners very well.
