Generation Y: Too Demanding at Work?

[Deja Q]

http://www.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/careerbytes/CBArticle.aspx?articleID=757

“Employers expect entry-level employees to have substantial work experience, be top of their class, dress professionally, etcetera,” Treichel says. “Personally, I worked hard at two year-round internships while still going to school my last two years. I don't expect high pay and a BlackBerry, but I do expect to be compensated for the hard work I put in preparing for the position.”

Fair.

“We are a people that had cell phones in high school,” he says. “Of course we are going to expect to have the most up-to-date gadgets in order to compete in today’s sleepless digital market.”

Bailin agrees. “I think if other generations had such technologies as cell phones and BlackBerrys, they would work toward getting them financed through work as well.”

I didn't need a cell phone in high school.

Last I checked, work often says they'll reimburse or help -- then don't.

Alison Bailin, 27, also believes her generation wants to see a significant return on years of education. “College expenses have skyrocketed, leaving many of us in debt,” says the account executive. “Many career fields require one year or more of a unpaid internship, so we are joining the work force with a year or more experience than many previous generations.”

Surely most people, regardless of generation, would normally expect a return on investment?

Not too long ago, the generation gap meant parents didn’t understand why ripped jeans cost twice as much as regular ones or why every other word coming out of their child’s mouth was “like.” Now the gap means employers don’t understand why twentysomethings straight out of college expect a high salary and lots of vacation time.

Pity the article doesn't go into many specifics. Vacation time is one thing (most new employees, at least 10 years ago, had to wait x months before getting a day of it) but pay? Depending on the job and what the responsibilities are, some jobs are indeed worth more than a paltry wage. Especially considering the cost of living.

Employees under the age of 29, also known as Generation Y, expect their employers to provide more benefits and other perks than their older counterparts, according to a new survey from CareerBuilder.com and Harris Interactive. Gen Y workers want better pay, a flexible work schedule and company-provided BlackBerrys and cell phones.

I pay for my own cell phone, but it's ethical that if the employer wants me to do company business and wants fast response, they should pay for the relevant materials. Or let's nix cell phones, go back to street corner pay phones and we can pay for calls with dimes. Again, it depends on the job and no doubt some kiddies want everything for nothing just as much as some managers want the same thing too.

It's interesting, the number of articles revolving around gen-y are appearing lately. Does the media see the irony over calling them too coddled and given too much attention? :D




(Article has more)

[loser_user]

1. Yes there is irony

15 years ago Time Magazine screamed that Generation X was awful, but then look how that has changed.

[provis99]

9. people still think Gen-X was shit

Too conservative, conformist, and lazy slackers at the same time. You oughtta hang around here when those tired old baby boomers start their usual complaining about the Gen-X generation. So I feel pretty sympathetic towards those born after 1980, and get fed up with old farts complaining about younger people. Been going on since ancient Greek days.

[treestar]

2. Wonder why the outsourcing isn't scaring them into more compliant

behavior.

If this is true I take back my accusation that the school system's reason for existence is to make sheep of us all.

At least they have the idea that it's a two way contract. That's not a bad thing, as most people let their employers shove them around more than they have to, at least if they are professionals. They must feel as if they have other options.

Maybe we are only talking about the elite of that generation, as to education and opportunity.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

3. Here's an archaic idea: How about joining a union and striking?

[aquart]

5. How about not firing skilled over 40s to hire these snots?

[Union Thug]

6. Bingo! But...

I fear that many of these same people will parrot 30 years of conservative propaganda about unions, economics and rights in the workplace when asked about such things.

In a lot of ways, they are way too narcissistic, and way too specialized to give a shit.

[sinkingfeeling]

4. Yes, the cost of a college education is up and the education part is down.

[Parche]

7. generation y

needs to get x rated.....:hi:

[Deja Q]

8. They get plenty already.

(BTW: If you're referring to me, I'm rather older than the gen-y folks...)