The hot HR topic at a work BBQ last week was how much impact the 'Millennials' will make on cultures of the future.
If you aren’t already aware – Millennials are:

• Born between 1970 and the early 2000’s
• Very Tech Savvy
• They want to stay connected – big users of social media
• Millennials crave adventure
• Time Magazine called them – “The me me me Generation”

It has also been said that in the workplace they want:

• Instant gratification and recognition
• Transparency – honesty and open communication
• Collaboration – they thrive in working in teams
• Work life balance – they want to feel free
• Career Advancement – Moving up the ranks often as quickly as possible

So I decided to go and do a bit of research on how different they actually are when it comes to workforce planning.

Do we as Leaders and HR Specialists have to think differently when planning for and dealing with the younger generations?

It seems the answer is Yes and No.

Fortune Magazine has released 5 myths about Millennials in the workplace:

• Myth #1: Millennials’ career goals and expectations are different from those of older generations.
• Myth #2: Millennials want constant acclaim and think everyone on the team should get a trophy.
• Myth #3: Millennials are digital addicts who want to do — and share — everything on line, without regard for personal or professional boundaries.
• Myth #4: Millennials, unlike their older colleagues, can’t make a decision without first inviting everyone to weigh in.
• Myth #5: Millennials are more likely to jump ship if a job doesn't fulfil their passions.

All these myths are debunked in the article.
Check it out HERE:

In fact each of the other generational groups – Baby boomers, Gen Y, Gen X – all have their own set of characteristics and myths associated with them.

These characteristics and myths show that we need to be aware of the need to create a workplace where employees of all ages are embraced for the different traits that they bring.

So respect each generation and build a workplace where everyone is treated like an individual.

The success of a culture is the ability to bring individuals together to achieve your company’s strategic goals.

Perhaps think of it as an alliance – check out this earlier blog on Alliances –

We would welcome your thoughts on whether or not millennials need to be treated differently in the workplace.

By Emma Worseldine

References used for this Blog:

1. http://www.millennialmarketing.com/who-are-millennials/
2. http://talent.linkedin.com/blog/index.php/2013/12/8-millennials-traits-you-should-know-about-before-you-hire-them
3. http://fortune.com/2015/04/13/5-myths-about-millennials-in-the-workplace/