OK, I read yet another article about how the Gen Y workforce will revolutionize the workplace with their "social network skills" and their knowledge of technology, all that c..p. I cannot take it anymore.

I manage large engineering and tech projects for a living. It is an environment that has no use whatsoever for people that ask for more holidays and the right to work fewer hours for less productivity and no stake whatsoever - of any generation or age or experience. Won't touch with a barge pole.

I see that my business hires only dynamic, interested individuals, that bring me profits against reasonable hours. In return, contractors may get bonuses and referrals, and perms get increases, because I want to keep them. The other few that manage to sneak through quickly fail the probation period.

Want experience and the right to use Facebook at the expense of the employer? Go get it somewhere else, find a place where productivity doesn't matter. Public service for instance, they'll welcome your throughput there.

I'm always surprised at how generalised my colleagues agree, yet with the PCness nobody ever says anything out loud..

If you're an employer, what is YOUR experience ?

If you're an employee, OK, let it rip now...

OK - well I am a Gen X working for a large media organisation.

We have Boomers, X and Y employees... (and Z ??)

I have been managing staff for nearly 20yrs... In my experience a lazy employee is a lazy employee and some of the worst I have had have been the older staff - male and female.

We take interns and work experience students and predominately these are Gen Y's - and in nearly all cases they work their socks off... with a number offerred full time roles.

Our IT policy allows occassional personal use of Internet and does not restrict social media sites - it is up to the managers to police. I sacked a 37yo because he was spending too much time on FB...

We try to be an employer of choice and have some flexi policies - but at the end of the day the job needs to get done and it's the job of supervisors and managers to both motivate and manage staff performance... some individuals take more time and effort than others!!

GPA said...

OK - well I am a Gen X working for a large media organisation.

We have Boomers, X and Y employees... (and Z ??)

I have been managing staff for nearly 20yrs... In my experience a lazy employee is a lazy employee and some of the worst I have had have been the older staff - male and female.
We take interns and work experience students and predominately these are Gen Y's - and in nearly all cases they work their socks off... with a number offerred full time roles.

Our IT policy allows occassional personal use of Internet and does not restrict social media sites - it is up to the managers to police. I sacked a 37yo because he was spending too much time on FB...

We try to be an employer of choice and have some flexi policies - but at the end of the day the job needs to get done and it's the job of supervisors and managers to both motivate and manage staff performance... some individuals take more time and effort than others!!

Hey GP, when you have a pain in the freckle high maintenance Gen-Y style kid(s) at home to look after, sucking all the energy/money/time outta ya - you may find yourself dozing at work also.

Generalising of course. I have met incredibly motivated, professional Gen Y's who mange to still display respect and awareness beyond their own bellybutton. They are a pleasure to work with and are motivating to me also.

Unfortunately I have met far more cocky, self infatuated, disrespectful Gen Y's with an extremely narrow range of knowledge (even if they are techno-savvy) that think they have the biz well and truly goin on - yet don't measure up anywhere near as well as their own estimation.

Deep breath.. is my usual M.O.

Maybe I was (almost) as painful as that once.. a LONG time ago. Don't think so tho.

I had a meeting with a rep from the state Govt, he told me that there was huge concern particularly in the STEM industries of which the OP is from with regards to Gen Y. This I resulting in huge skills gaps when combined with retiring Boomers.

It seems that Gen Y does not want to work up the chain due the 'I want it now' mindset.

As a Gen X'er it just leaves greater opportunity for me.

doggie said...

I dont understand the FB at work thing, when I get to work thats the last thing I want to do. I dont even take private phone calls at work. Ive got work to do, oh and Seabreeze

with 7000+ posts on seabreeze, no wonder you dont have time for FB or private calls!!

^^ impressive!! I have work to do

SeaBreeze = Facebook for wind junkies

i just dont want to hire staff. instead i offer business licenses

Little Jon said...
Shouldn't you be working now, maybe apply the same standards to yourself, the worst are those always wingeing about the others.

Sorry but I don't have to. It's my business, my time, my company. I can do what I want.
You do understand that there is a boss and there are employees in a company, right ?

Gen X:

With the Lights out it's less dangerous
Here we are now entertain us
I feel stupid and contagious
Here we are now entertain us

Gen Y:

P-p-p-poker face, p-p-poker face
(Mum mum mum mah)
P-p-p-poker face, p-p-poker face
(Mum mum mum mah)

(btw i took me three, THREE sites until I found one I could copypasta lyrics from, not just share on ****ing facebook)

^^^ I don't think there is an exact time.

I was born in Tassie I think it is 2003 there at the moment. I live in Perth, it is at least 2009 here at the moment...

And... I think all of Queensland is enjoying the year 1977, err this year, there

BenKirk said...

What is the exact date line for Gen Y?

The Australian Bureau of Statistics uses 1982 - 2000 to define Generation Y (ie those born between these dates). So that's 11yo - 29yo.

Generation Z are those born in the new mellenium.

japester said...

This same question comes around every ten years, about the up and coming generation.

It's history, repeating itself, as the older generation forgets that they too, were young and revolutionary once.

this site needs a "like" button. It was obviously designed by someone outside of GenY ;)

I luv Doggie

pierrec45 said...

Little Jon said...
Shouldn't you be working now, maybe apply the same standards to yourself, the worst are those always wingeing about the others.

Sorry but I don't have to. It's my business, my time, my company. I can do what I want.
You do understand that there is a boss and there are employees in a company, right ?

Like I said, the worst are always those wingeing about others, right

Little Jon said...
Like I said, the worst are always those wingeing about others, right

It doesn't matter if you're right.

Companies usually have hierarchies. An employer fires those he chooses to. Those may be happy to be "right" as they move back to mum's basement to play more video games.
I reward the good ones - they seldom leave, and they don't whinge when they get raises.

You should heed the warning. I think the overprotected types, of all ages and creed, are only fit for public service if they do not make the transition from spoiled kids to the workplace.

Some do, some don't. I believe the ratio is changing, but it doesn't matter to me as I developed screening techniques over the years.