What Millennials Expect From Their Employers
Millennials will soon be the largest part of the American workforce, taking the place of the previous Baby Boomers. Despite the stereotypes that Millennials are flakey or not as committed to their jobs as the Baby Boomers, Millennials have proven them wrong. They are more committed to their jobs and seek pretty much the same things in a work environment as Boomers. However, they do expect some different things than the Boomers.
Paid Maternity/Paternity Leave for Better Job Security
It’s no secret that the U.S doesn’t have legally protected paid maternity leave policies, except in a few states. However, while Baby Boomers generally accepted that only mothers had paid leave after having a baby, Millennials expect both parents to be present with their newborn. Both men and women want to be able to balance their work and family life and feel like they shouldn’t be penalized for starting a family. Goldman and Sachs recently changed their parental leave policies where:
- Non-primary caregivers get four weeks of paid leave
- New mothers get 16 weeks of paid leave
- Same-sex partners are now eligible for parental leave policies.
Other companies like Reddit and Facebook give at least 16 weeks to both caregivers. Providing your employees with paid maternity/paternity leave will not only allow them to start a family but also feel financially secure knowing their job is safe. Employees who feel safe in their jobs work harder and are less likely to leave your company for better benefits elsewhere.
Flexible Hours for More Family Time
With the increasingly busy world that we live in, it’s getting harder to balance work and personal life. While Millennials are more committed to their jobs, they do want to be able to take time for themselves and their families. Unlike previous generations, their work doesn’t define them and a 9-5 hour word day can be hazardous to their productivity. However, that doesn’t mean they get less done than Baby Boomers. By spending the same number of hours on work spread out throughout the day, they accomplish just as much if not more as their older coworkers. In addition, if employees feel that their job is all there is to them, they can start feeling depressed and thus become less productive. Promote their lives outside of work by offering them flexible hours. Employees will feel less stressed and like they can live their lives to the fullest.
Corporate Wellness to Promote Health
Millennials are more health-conscious than previous generations. As such, providing employees with in-house fitness centers and promoting wellness can help them stay healthy. Promoting corporate wellness also has the added benefit of showing your employees that you care about their health. Corporate wellness can help your company, too. With healthier employees, fewer sick days will be taken, resulting in lower health care costs and increased productivity. Also, having a way for employees to get out from behind their desks will relieve stress.