September 2019
Fully 75% of Millennials and Gen Z say they would leave their jobs if companies do not work to prioritize diversity and inclusion within five years. When it comes to building loyalty and stability among a younger workforce, diversity and equity is at least as important as a company’s self-proclaimed mission statement. (Deloitte)
“It’s time to stop celebrating the Baby Boomers,” proclaims a Gen X author, in a snarky piece that could have been written by almost anyone under 55. Although some of the cited data is questionable, Xers have certainly been overlooked due to the demographic behemoth that preceded them. (New York Post)
Grey collar workers foresee higher demand for their jobs in the future than blue or white collar workers, 45% versus 32% and 31% respectively. They’re not wrong to be more optimistic: Because grey collar work combines manual labor with interpersonal or technical expertise, these industries are among the least likely to experience automation in the near future. (Express Employment Professionals)
Walmart introduced new education benefits for its workers, a major step forward for a company hoping to appeal to Millennial employees. Their debt-free college plans are sure to be a hit with younger recruits who are watching friends and siblings struggle with student loans. (CBS News)
Virtual reality is quickly becoming an effective tool to teach soft skills in the workplace, with simulations that can remove the awkwardness of roleplaying, include tutorials, and allow for repetitive practice. Tech-savvy Millennials are in desperate need of soft skills, and gamifying professional interactions might be the next big trend – for companies that can afford it. (The Los Angeles Times)
A university dean claims that technology has changed how Millennials communicate with authority figures. Millennials, like all generations, actually formed their relationship with authority well before they ever got online: Their Boomer parents raised them as special and valued their opinions more than previous generations of parents. (FenderBender)
Fully 67% of Americans ages 18-35 approve of unions (compared to only 61% of adults 55+). After decades of low approval ratings, team-playing Millennials’ new attitude towards organized labor could lead to a new wave of union memberships. (Gallup)
Wage satisfaction among workers under 35 rose an astonishing 9.8% in the last year, a phenomenon attributed to entry-level salaries being more sensitive to market fluctuations. However, a shift in perception could also be due to lower expectations: Millennials’ job experience has been largely post-recession, and they may simply be awe-struck by their first experience of a tighter labor market. (The Conference Board)