Millennials in the workplace

[ktwlpn]

I'm seeing numerous articles regarding the challenges of millennials in the workplace and our LTC is having the common issues managing them. We have talked for YEARS about "nurses eating their young" and "seasoned nurses vs inexperienced nurses " and now we are faced with another challenge. Many companies are catering to the demands of millennials. They enter the workforce and begin making demands for things that those of us have still not received after 20 years or more such as more flexible work hours. I see that every day -young nurses demanding vacations, schedule changes,refusing to work certain units.They never go "above and beyond" but squeak by with meeting the minimum requirements of the job because, after all-it's a 24 hour facility. They are NOT team players, they are self centered, truly believe the world revolves around them, it's the "Me " show...all "Me" all the time.

I continue to try to remain as flexible and adaptable as possible. I have learned all of the computer programs without complaint and continue to teach myself daily so I can be "tech savy",too. I try to be patient and tell myself I don't "own" the nurse's station and can't control the unprofessional behavior of these co-workers.

I fail to understand why these studies I 'm reading are telling me we must adapt of workplace to accommodate them because in a few short years they will be the majority. What happens then when everyone is making these demands? No-one will work weekends, holidays, certain units, etc. I read an article in Forbes that actually recommends "gamify" tasks for this generation who has never know the world without computers and Facebook. Isn't it time they GROW UP and stop playing games? learn how to get along with others?

Before the flaming starts let me first say that NOT ALL millennials have these issues.Just as all baby boomers are not old inflexible farts. needs,too.

[Not_A_Hat_Person, RN]

When I worked LTC, the divas were nurses (and LNAs) who had been there since Florence Nightingale was a new grad. They weren't millenials.

[Cuddleswithpuddles]

My take on this, through observation, is that this generation grew up watching their parents work their behinds off and they have nothing to show for it. Most of the parents of this generation have lost most if not all of their life's earnings because of the big market crash. 401k's and pensions got wiped out. What do they have to show for it? The world is falling apart, things we thought were fixed and behind us are broken again; all around them is proof that working hard just gets you tired for the most part. I also believe they are a generation that will speak up for themselves, even if the rules say they should not. I am not a Millennial. I just squeaked into GenX or whatever. I can tell you, from experience, people I worked with used to think I got special treatment. I did not. I simply spoke up. Sometimes I was told "no", but often times I could get what I wanted and show my employer that they benefited as well. If they are truly taking advantage, then it will catch up with them eventually. However, if they are simply better than yourself at navigating the system, then perhaps you should take a cue and get what's yours. I mean this in the most supportive way. I have a husband who sits back feeling unappreciated at work, but he never talks to the people who can do something for him. I can't help. He has to speak up for himself. The days of thinking that if you just do a good job, show initiative, and go above and beyond and your supervisor will recommend you for a promotion or raise are not really existing anymore. Supervisors nowadays are only vested in providing good results and moving you, a wonderful employee, it is not in their best interest.

For better and for worse, sometimes the best opportunities do not go to the best people but rather the ones who step up and take them.

[Mandychelle79, ASN, RN]

I am at the very end of Generation X and most of the ones I work with are millenials. Guess what, I would much rather work with them than any of the boomers that typically work day shift. Guess which ones are the ones who are willing to work the overtime. Guess which ones are willing to swap shifts with each other more readily. Sure there are times I say no to a shift, because I work to live, not live to work, which is how some of the older generation expects us to be.

[BrandonLPN, LPN]

In our med room, we used to have a piece of paper on the wall above the med cart that read "Just put on your big-girl panties and deal with it"

I was sad when someone complained and we had to take it down. Several of my newer coworkers my age or younger really needed to see that every day before starting their shift. Way, way too much emotional baggage from home brought to work. I think older generations were simply raised to guard their emotions better or something. No grown, adult woman needs to cry at the drop of a hat as much as some as thses new girls, I'm sorry...

I really think the next flyer to go above the med cart should be a picture of Tom Hanks saying "There's no Crying in Baseball!". See how long that one lasts....

[fetch, BSN, RN]

Here's a quote that's going round the internet that I think of whenever I see these type of article:

I dunno, just laying face down on the couch and waiting for some baby boomers to die, I guess.

- Millennials, when asked about plans for the future

[imintrouble, BSN, RN]

I am at the very end of Generation X and most of the ones I work with are millenials. Guess what, I would much rather work with them than any of the boomers that typically work day shift. Guess which ones are the ones who are willing to work the overtime. Guess which ones are willing to swap shifts with each other more readily. Sure there are times I say no to a shift, because I work to live, not live to work, which is how some of the older generation expects us to be.

I can't work overtime or switch shifts, because I'm already working a second job and babysitting my Millenial daughter's children. Most of the nurses my age babysit their grandchildren on their days off. I don't know if that's a regional thing or not. I'd LOVE to work overtime, it certainly pays more than babysitting. $0 an hour.

[T-Bird78]

I went to nursing school with a millennial and she was very spoiled by her parents, and she expected that to carry over into real life also. She came in late to class and was singled out one day for applying her full makeup during class. She didn't miss a beat, kept applying, and told the instructor to keep on talking. One thing I've noticed is work ethic in general is on a decline. My dad is in his early 70s and was never late a single day; he'd rather call out than be late. He never exceeded his days off, and when they were put on a grueling schedule of 14-hour days 7 days a week for a few months, he never complained. I'm in my mid-30s, tail end of generation X, and I'm not late for work and pull my own weight and help my coworkers. The teenagers/early 20-somethings working in retail typically don't have the same drive and even basic customer service skills. Just an observation.

[bloodorange]

You know, I'm pretty sure this isn't actually a generational thing, but a natural variation in work ethic that exists within every generation. As if we don't know lazy/entitled people of all ages (and hard workers likewise).

[MandieeRN]

This issue is not a generation thing. It's ridiculous to broad stroke any generation. If you don't like what is happening at work fix it! You are the only one who can change your life complaining never gets anywhere.

[FurBabyMom, MSN, RN]

As a Millennial, I am not fully shocked that people have this complaint of my generation, but I also do take some offense (probably just being part of the offending generation).

Let's get some things about ME straight:

1. I grew up as the only blue collar family in a very white collar area. My parents tried, and have literally nothing to show for it.

2. I have always had tons of responsibility. At 11, I was doing half the work of running my parents' house (all the laundry, all the cleaning, 80% of the cooking, etc).

3. I have worked since I was 11 (babysitting), moved on to a real part time job in high school. I had THREE part time jobs and was the primary caretaker for my terminally ill grandmother while in college (I went to a 4 year BSN program).

4. I have set goals for myself and challenged myself. I moved cross country by myself (with a dog) for a once in a lifetime job opportunity.

5. I consider myself to be a team player. I come in early, I stay late. I work my day off if staffing really sucks (and I have no other plans), and I have taken call for other coworkers (this has screwed me). I work, I do what is expected of me, I help others, all the things my older coworkers largely refuse to do.

6. Regarding being lazy/calling off work? I have called out three times in two years (four times in three years). One of those times, I had to have emergency surgery. Two of those times were FMLA approved absences related to my father's chronic illness. The last was because of an emergency at my place of residence. I was late ONE day, because I was in a car accident, and I was 15 minutes late.

7. I am the only one paying for anything I have. I pay my rent, my car payment, my car and property insurance, my loans - I am not dependent on anyone but myself. Least of all my parents.

Now let's consider what happens to me:

1. My being a team player, helping others, etc - gets exploited. Many of my older coworkers expect me to stay late because "I don't have kids" and/or work the holidays/take holiday call simply because "I don't have kids." Because I could not possibly ever have plans or desire to do anything or be important to MY family.

2. By and large, it appears from here, that many of the "older" "seasoned" employees, are the ones doing very little to contribute. Maybe though, we just have quite a few of those older employees who do literally nothing, ever.

There are many more things I could say in this area, but I am choosing not to be excessively negative about my job and coworkers - as it could always be worse, and being negative without being able to or trying to do anything does nothing to fix any of the problems.

I'm not sure I'm actually the exception, maybe there is a gradient of work ethic within all generations? Maybe certain places just have large collections of certain types of workers (slackers, super performers etc) and it appears to be one way but isn't always?

[imintrouble, BSN, RN]

As a Millennial, I am not fully shocked that people have this complaint of my generation, but I also do take some offense (probably just being part of the offending generation).

Let's get some things about ME straight:

1.

If this is deliberate it's hilarious.

If not, please continue.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I was born in '81, so I am either at the very end of Generation X or the very beginning of the Millennials, depending on the source used.

Although it is unwise to paint an entire generation with a broad pain brush, I will readily admit that I am loyal to no workplace or corporation. I was 20 years old when Enron collapsed, and look at where their loyal employees ended up: broke and living in penury in midlife, which is the worst time to be a displaced worker.

And I also watched my own mother be loyal to a workplace and stay employed there for nearly 25 years with nothing to show for it today.

So in my personal life, I will remain at a workplace as long as I meet their needs and they meet my needs. Once one entity fails to hold up their end of the bargain, I will start fishing around for another workplace.

And what is wrong with wanting work/life balance? We only have one life, one body, one mind and one soul. No person on the deathbed ever begs to work another shift. Work/life balance is important. I am not a company girl. It's time to take care of myself because no one else will. So, yes, I am looking out for myself.