Millenials are the ‘now’ generation, the new workforce, the ones with the innovative ideas that will take our companies into the next decade.
Except for one problem: they don’t want to be tied to cubicle hell.
oDesk, an online jobs resource for freelancers and entrerpreneurs, and Millennial Branding, a Generation Y consulting firm, teamed up to survey 1,958 ‘Millennials,’ or youth from 19 to 30 years old, on their career paths.
The results might be startling:
✓ 72% of those still at “regular” jobs want to quit to be entirely independent; 61% say they likely will within two years
✓ Freedom is the top reason those at “regular” jobs would like to quit; and 89% say they prefer to work when and where they choose (versus in a corporate, 9 – 5 job)
✓ 90% of independent workers indicated that being an entrepreneur reflects having a certain mindset (rather than being strictly defined as having started a company)
✓ Of the freelancing Millennials surveyed, 58% of those familiar with the term “entrepreneur” classify themselves as one
This oDesk infographic shows the ‘now’ generation wants to work wherever and whenever they want:
What does it all mean?
“We believe that the barriers of Industrial Age work simply don’t make sense for businesses that want to get more work done, or for workers who are demanding more freedom. No one today wants to be confined to a cubicle,” said Gary Swart, CEO of oDesk, in a news release. “As independent professionals embrace this freedom, hours worked on oDesk have increased eightfold since 2009.”
It means that many more businesses have to open up to a telecommuting program that allows young employees the freedom to maintain that work-life balance we all so desperately crave. And yet, their productivity is often better than your in-office employees.
A telework program can save companies money, too. When employees work from home, businesses start to realize reduced costs in real-estate space, furniture, electricity and utilities, janitorial services, security, paper and office supplies and equipment, and coffee and water service.
Telecommuters are also less likely to call in sick.
With the innovators of tomorrow wanting more freedom and flexibility while they earn paycheque, it makes sense to start a work-from-home program from your office, not dial it back like Yahoo and Best Buy have done.
Your business instantly becomes a place where the younger generation wants to work and you should start to see a deeper pool of applicants for your job postings.
