Offending millennials can be a very easy thing to do, regardless if you think a millennial is being snowflakey or actually being offensive. Millennials, like everyone else, have a right to their feelings and how they feel toward specific actions, especially in the workplace..
The workplace needs to remember just how unique millennials are and the economic hardships they have experienced. For example, in the first wave of millennials, the Dot Com Bubble hit the professional sector. Many companies went out of business, impacting ambitious millennials entering the workforce, but little did they know that losing jobs and enduring hardships would only be the beginning.
An unlucky series of unfortunate events would affect millennials for the rest of their lives, such as:
- 9/11
- Iraq and Afghanistan wars
- 2008 housing crisis
- Covid-19
The list goes on and on while struggling with student debt. So yes, a millennial can get a little offended in the workplace when they have fought through wars and worked through recessions caused by baby boomers.
Worst of all, when there was a worldwide pandemic specifically targeting the baby boomer generation, millennials were ridiculed for following protocols set by baby boomers. So now that you know a little about where millennials’ sensitivity comes from, you can now take steps to avoid offending them in the workplace.
Stop Talking Down to Millennials
Communication is vital in every aspect of life, which means it’s essential in relationships, family, and the workplace. Without clear-cut communication, expectations, deadlines, and responsibilities won’t be met, which can aggravate everyone involved.
However, talking down to millennials and making them feel inferior isn’t going to work. It’s going to make the situation worse. To connect with a millennial in the workplace, you’ll have to learn how to communicate with them.
Below is what you can do:
- Keep it real: stop sugarcoating, beating around the bush, gaslighting, or condescending. Tell millennials exactly how you feel and how to fix the issue.
- Be concise: be specific in your communication attempt, and do not leave anything up for interpretation. Please explain what you want to be done; it will be flawless when finished.
- Be relatable: millennials like to know they are a part of the team and not just a subordinate.
- Give feedback: millennials do not like micromanagement, but they do want to know what’s working and what’s not.
No one wants to be talked down, and millennials have little tolerance, especially in the workplace. Millennials view the workplace as a place of employment where they expect a high level of respect and professionalism that prior generations will need to adjust.
Don’t Dismiss What’s Important to Millennials
Millennials are passionate, often socially conscious, and aware of the issues plaguing society and the world. Millennials care about issues like equality, social justice, and the environment. So, to avoid offending them, don’t make insensitive comments or jokes about these topics.
Jokes in themselves are acceptable and boost morale within the workplace. But if boosting morale is at the expense of a minority group that is constantly targeted, the joke will not go well with a millennial. Millennials are not afraid to speak up for what is right, even if it means that there will be repercussions within the workplace.
However, can millennials take this too far? Absolutely, but how a millennial reacts is merely a reflection of a more significant issue within the workplace. Common workplace issues like bullying, gaslighting, harassment, and unfair labor practices often get swept under the rug. These are issues millennials will not tolerate.
Stop Calling Millennials Lazy
Millennials being called lazy is about as cliche as it gets because if there is one thing for sure, millennials are not lazy. In fact, they are anything but. Since entering the workplace, millennials have demonstrated a willingness to work without the proper compensation, training, or support from their respective employers.
Data shows that millennials are hardworking and ambitious, but where the term of being lazy and entitled comes from is the simple fact that they hold themselves to a high standard. Millennials expect their employer to be on par. If a millennial is unhappy, they have no issues leaving one company for another and then job hop until they find something that suits them.
Millennials looking out for themselves and finding something that makes them happy isn’t laziness. Finding a job, going through the interview process, and adapting to a new environment takes great effort. Some millennials have taken up the quiet quitting tactic to look for other opportunities while still being employed.
If a company doesn’t have what millennials are looking for, such as:
- A competitive salary and benefits
- Flexibility and a healthy work schedule
- Possibility for growth and development
The company isn’t going to retain or attract millennial workers. Millennials are the largest workforce to date, and if a company is going to survive, it will need employees to run the company or find a way to operate without employees.
Respect Boundaries
Millennials have been taught to respect other people’s boundaries from a young age. Whether it’s personal space, limits on screen time, or saying no to uncomfortable social interactions. Millennials know how to draw the line, and they expect others to do the same When it comes to boundary-setting, millennials are the experts. So if you’re looking for tips on how to respect millennials’ boundaries, here’s what you need to know:
- Listen to what they say: Believe them if someone tells you they’re not comfortable with something. Don’t try to talk them into it or convince them they’re wrong. Just listen to what they’re saying and respect their wishes.
- Ask before you act: If you’re unsure whether someone is okay with something, ask them first. It’s always better to err on the side of caution than to make someone feel uncomfortable.
- Be aware of your body language: Your body language can say a lot about how you feel, even if you don’t realize it. So if someone looks like they’re trying to get away from you, take a step back and give them some space.
- Respect their privacy: Everyone has a right to privacy, and respecting someone’s privacy is a sign of respect. If you wouldn’t want someone prying into your personal life, don’t do it to others.
- Give them space: If someone needs time alone, don’t take it personally. Just give them the space they need, and they’ll return to you when ready.
Boundaries are essential, and respecting someone’s boundaries is a sign of respect. By following these tips, you can ensure that you’re always appreciating other people’s boundaries and keeping them comfortable.
Put your Trust in Millennials
Millennials are the largest workforce to date, meaning millennials are next to take the baton and fill senior and executive positions. With the advancement of technology and medical care, millennials are also expected to live and work longer than previous generations.
Millennials are the future of the workplace, and the takeover will occur much sooner than later. They are the ones who will be leading our country and making decisions that will impact all of us. They have fresh perspectives and ideas that can help us solve problems in new ways that previous generations struggled to overcome. The workforce today should engage with millennials today and hear what they have to say because one day, they will be in charge.
Conclusion
Millennials may be overly sensitive about many things in the workplace, but that’s okay. Millennials have not had the same opportunities as other generations, but yet have the same expectation to thrive and flourish in an antiquated workforce. However, with millennials enduring many of the hardships they have had to overcome, it is up to them to change the workforce into a better one for every generation that will come after them.
Book Recommendation
The Millennial Whisperer by Chris Tuff
Book Review
The Millennial Whisperer is a book by Chris Tuff that explores how to best manage and motivate employees from the Millennial generation.
Tuff provides readers with an inside look at how Millennial workers think and what motivates them, allowing managers to better understand this important demographic and tap into their potential.
With advice on everything from recruiting and retaining Millennial talent to communicating effectively with them, The Millennial Whisperer is essential for anyone looking to get the most out of this growing workforce.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why are millennials called the lost generation?
A: The Millennial Generation is the demographic cohort that directly follows Generation X. There are no precise dates when the generation starts and ends; demographers and researchers typically use birth years ranging from the early 1980s to the early 2000s.
Millennials are sometimes called the “lost generation” because they came of age during economic turmoil and social change. They are also considered to be more open-minded and tolerant than previous generations. Millennials are often seen as more individualistic and less likely to conform to traditional social norms.
Millennials are often more educated than previous generations. In the United States, Millennials are more likely to have a college degree than any other generation.
Some Millennials have been successful in starting their own businesses or organizations. Others have found success in traditional careers. But many Millennials feel lost, uncertain about their future, and disconnected from the world around them.
Q: Do millennials have a lesser work ethic?
A: Millennials are often accused of having a lesser work ethic than previous generations. There is some truth to this claim, as millennials are more likely to job hop and switch careers than older generations. They also tend to value work/life balance and flexible working arrangements more highly than traditional 9-5 office jobs.
However, it’s unfair to say millennials have a lesser work ethic overall. In many ways, they simply respond to the changing nature of work in the 21st century. Our job is changing rapidly with technological advances and changes in the global economy. Millennials are simply adapting to these changes and looking for ways to make their work lives more fulfilling.
Q: What are the core values of millennials?
A: Millennials are known for being passionate, driven, and ambitious. They are also known for their strong sense of social responsibility and their desire to make a positive impact on the world. Millennials are often referred to as the “Me Generation” because they are so focused on their own personal development and growth.
However, this does not mean that Millennials are selfish; in fact, they are very community-minded and care deeply about making a difference in the world. Millennials have a strong desire to change the world for the better and they are willing to put in the hard work to make their vision a reality.