What Do Millennials Want?

How do we improve employee engagement, retention and empowerment among the future generation of leaders? The key to ensuring that the next generations are thriving in the workplace is to understand their wants and needs at work.

Who Are Millennials?

Millennials currently make up 35% of the UK workforce and are on track to make up the majority of workers in a few years. Born between 1980-1995, this generation, also known as Generation Y, is full of digital natives, having grown up in a decade of technological rapid change. They are used to technology being integrated into every facet of life, in and out of work.

One major characteristic of millennials is that they are known for high job turnover, often as a result of a lack of engagement, so employee retention in this group can be difficult. This generation is always on the lookout for new job opportunities that will fulfil their needs. So how can organisations future-proof their businesses to hold onto this bright generation of leaders and foster an environment that is attractive for years to come?

What Do Millennials Want?

Culture Cravers

For millennials, it’s all about company culture. Research shows that engagement among employees improves when a good company culture is present. One Deloitte study found that 83% of millennials are actively engaged in their work when their company foster a more inclusive work environment. Another recent survey found that 74% of millennial employees believe their organisation is more innovative when it has a culture of inclusion. Thus, companies must focus on cultivating working conditions that foster creativity, team building and morale.

Flexibility Is Key

Working for companies that offer their employees greater independence and demonstrate their trust by allowing for flexible work is very attractive to younger workers. Research has found that the ability to work remotely is very important for 75% of millennials. Including flexible working into your business wherever possible, whether that means offering hybrid work, remote work, or adaptable working hours, will not only improve employee well-being and engagement but it will boost retention.

Yearning For Learning

Millennials crave knowledge, especially through the medium of technology. Businesses that not only prioritise their employee’s learning but upgrade how it happens will reap the benefits through improved retention, engagement and empowerment. Leveraging easy-to-use, modern technology that millennials already have at their fingertips allows for optimum learning that workers will appreciate.

Condensing this learning down into snackable sessions that are easy to digest is key in engaging this workforce. This is why, at theMakings, we built our 23-minute training sessions with future leaders at the forefront of our decision-making. Smaller sessions can slot right into your employee’s diaries, and as they are delivered frequently, they allow for real incorporation of learning, and time for application, and prevent information overload.

According to a survey by Docebo, close to 50% of millennials would leave a job that doesn’t offer them any learning opportunities. If they aren’t learning, they’re leaving. Prioritising your staff’s training not only enhances employee engagement and empowers your staff as they achieve new skills but increases your chance of retaining this generation of workers.

Looking To The Future

The millennial generation is quickly becoming the large majority of the workforce and soon then will be the leaders that will shape our world of work. To future-proof your business, you must understand the desires and aspirations of this generation. This is not only key to retention, empowerment and engagement in these future leaders but essential to keeping your business afloat.

Our expert team of coaches at theMakings are already shaping this next generation of leaders through our optimised coaching sessions. To get in touch, visit our contact us page