February 2020
JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon recently commented: “The future of work is about skills, not just degrees.” The soaring cost of higher education is giving many young Americans pause, and companies may want to consider the value of non-traditional educational paths when looking for tomorrow’s best and brightest – JPMorgan certainly is. (Pulse 2.0)
The average age of new Fortune 500 and S&P 500 CEOs has climbed from roughly 46 years old to 58 years old since 2005. While these companies seem determined to hold onto Baby Boomers (despite their shorter tenures and the frustration of qualified Gen Xers waiting in the wings), firms that make the adjustment to a new generation of leadership sooner rather than later will have an advantage over the coming years. (Crist|Kolder Associates)
Generation X reports sleeping fewer hours than any other age cohort, with sleeplessness being particularly common among Gen X women. Although younger workers are often seen as the principle proponents for work-life balance, middle aged Xers, often sandwiched between caring for elderly parents and young children, would likely benefit most from extra time to attend to their home lives. (Time)
Millennials are changing “the American way of death,” talking openly about death and making their own funeral arrangements decades ahead of time. Some examples of this characteristically Millennial optimism include the “death positivity” movement, apps like WeCroak (which reminds users 5 times a day that they will die), and companies with names like Deadhappy and Funeralocity. (Vox)
Mozilla recently released a guide to help students navigate ethical issues in the tech industry, tackling subjects very much in line with those being discussed on university campuses around the country. Bringing company ethics and principles to the forefront of the recruitment process will resonate with the majority of Millennials who hope their values align with those of their employer. (Vice)
Support for mental health issues in the workplace is becoming more common as younger workers prioritize company culture over pay. The resources needed to institute new policies regarding psychological well-being are fortunately more accessible than ever to the many employers hoping to attract (and retain!) top Millennial talent. (Time)
Fully 70% of the variation in a worker’s engagement can be tied back to their immediate supervisor, a statistic that underscores the importance of understanding one’s employees. Many younger workers are looking for mentors, and managers who keep that in mind are vital to improving performance and retention. (Gallup)
A recent study found that 84% of Baby Boomers believe that social media improves their lives, compared to only 72% of Xers and 66% of Millennials. These surprising findings may be explained by the reasons different generations use social media – while younger social media users may feel obligated to have accounts, individualistic Baby Boomers likely logged in entirely of their own volition, predisposing them to hold more favorable views. (Security)