AUGUST 2019HR TECH OUTLOOK8In MyOpinionDemystifying Millennials: What the Next Generation Really Wants From Their EmployerAccording to the Pew Research Center, millennials now make up the largest share of the U.S. workforce. Study after study on the art and science of attracting this powerhouse of employees has come up with the same result- millennials want what most of us want from an employer ­ competitive pay, development opportunities and flexibility. And they won't settle for less. At one point, employers could hold on to their most coveted employees by offering them more money than the competition. However, with millennials, money is important but not at the expense of their personal happiness. To really create a workplace conducive to attracting and retaining the next generation of employees, businesses should focus on making changes to their administrative practices and office environment.Rethink the break roomMany employers think that a millennial-friendly work environment is one that is "fun." This often translates to having a ping pong table in the break room, pizza-and-beer Fridays or free sodas in the fridge. This stuff all makes for a very good time but millennials are not kids and they don't need toys and junk food to keep them interested. That being said, millennials know what they like and an employer who caters to their preferences will have a better chance of winning their loyalty. One thing that's big with millennials is a healthy lifestyle. Consider replacing the ping pong table in the breakroom with a vending machine that serves healthy food, including gluten free, organic and paleo options. Add a juicer next to the coffee machine and give almond milk as a substitute for traditional sugary creamer. Make break-time diversions millennial-friendly by offering activities they love ­ such as adult coloring books and a television with Netflix and Hulu access. Implement mobile technologyIt's no secret that millennials love their mobile devices. According to a TriNet infographic, mobile-enabled HR ­process adaption was 23 percent in Q2 2015 and is expected to grow by 65 percent in 2016. If you want to effectively reach millennials for recruitment, hiring, communication and other HR-related functions, mobile technology is paramount to your success. Rethink performance managementIn 2015, TriNet did a survey on performance management. The results showed that millennials hate annual performance reviews. They are a recurring annoyance at best and ineffective time-waster at worst. At the same time, millennials crave professional development and constructive feedback from their manager. Knowing this, you can turn this into an advantage for your organization. The solution is to ditch the annual review and focus on ongoing performance management. Performance management can be as simple as having frequent one-on-one meetings with each employee to give real-time feedback, discuss workflow and nip any performance issues in the bud before they become major problems. This performance management approach to developing your employees allows you to keep employees on track toward business goals, while giving millennials the opportunities for growth that they so crave. Jackie BreslinJackie Breslin, Director of Human Resources Center of Expertise, TriNetBy
< Page 7 | Page 9 >