Morley Safer looked at the “Millennials” this evening – the 80 million young adults, born between 1980 and 1995, who are now replacing the 60 million Baby Boomers in the American work force:
“They were raised by doting parents who told them they are special, played in little leagues with no winners or losers, or all winners. They are laden with trophies just for participating and they think your business-as-usual ethic is for the birds.”
Some companies are now hiring consultants to help them transition to these more demanding, more self-centered employees.
Just a few thoughts:
1. More people swap jobs today than ever before. This is not necessarily a bad thing; employers have also changed. Whereas many companies used to grant pension plans, they are mostly passe (except in some government or military institutions).
2. Work-life balance is not a bad thing. Americans today, on the whole, work as hard as any nation and obesity, stress, and correspondent sleeplessness are all major issues. Many of our health care problems are preventable with a more balanced lifestyle. Thus, a more health-conscious work force that doesn’t sacrifice their own well-being for the bottom line is a welcome modification.
3. However, corporations exists to earn profits (for Christians, to the glory of God and in a God-pleasing manner), and that requires employees that understand that on-the-job performance is crucial. That will require them to make sacrifices and recognize that merely showing up doesn’t win you a performance award. Ultimately, you get paid to do what they want you to do. And you need to earn the company more money than they pay you, otherwise you are a liability.
4. It seems like a fair inference that American economic competitiveness is at stake if our future work force is less productive (over individual lifetimes) because more time is spent growing up. (And remember: these “millenials” still hope to retire before the age of 65, increased lifespans notwithstanding.)
Read the whole thing.