Millennials and Tech in the Workplace

Millennials and technology – these two words are inseparable when talking about this generation. With companies quickly adapting to technological advancements, Millennials in the workplace are as quick to learn about it.

According to Forbes, a report suggested that by 2025, Millennials will make up 75% of the workforce, replacing the Boomers (1946-1964) and “drastically” reducing the number of Generation X employees.

What is a Millennial?

The word itself – Millennials – can generate thoughts involving smart gadgets, applications, and of course, social media. And of course, there are some negative notions such as lazy, entitled, selfish and shallow. But who really are the Millennials?

Millennial, also known as Generation Y, is the demographic unit that came before Generation Z (1997-2012) and after Generation X (1965-1980). They are typically categorized as those who were born from 1981 to 1996.

According to research based on the population estimates of the U.S. Census Bureau, Millennials have surpassed Boomers as the U.S.’ largest living adult generation.

A Millennial is typically known to be confident. This generation knows what it wants. However, their confidence is at times seen as narcissistic and entitled. In a 2013 Times article, they branded Millennials as the “Me, me, me generation” – the generation that is “informed but inactive.”

But wait – Millennials are more than the negative notions being thrown at them. With them almost outnumbering other generations in the workplace, these techie babies may be what you need in your company.

What are the traits of a Millennial?

Typically, Millennials are known to be confident, creative, and more progressive than the other generations. According to an Indeed article, Millennials value meaningful motivation – they want to create an impact by helping others and imparting inspiration – something to contribute to the improvement of the community.

They are also known to challenge the hierarchical status quo. They believe that the best results are achieved from active listening, collaboration, and consideration of all points of views.

Furthermore, this generation is open and very adaptive to change. Millennials are known to embrace progress and choose experience over material goods. It is said that more than three in four Millennials choose to spend their money on an experience rather than buying something. They believe that experiences help them connect better with the community.

Millennials and technology

If you need some help with a gadget, don’t hesitate to ask a Millennial to guide you through because this generation grew up along with the expansive growth of technology.

The vast majority of Millennials use technology – be it a smartphone, a gaming console, or mobile applications. Technology has been with them throughout their whole lives. Thanks to this, they were able to adapt quickly with the current technology trends.

Remember those days where you still had to use the phone to access the internet? Yep, older Millennials were there too.

Millennials were basically raised during many of the world’s technological advancements such as the smartphone and social media wherein communication even from remote places can take place without the use of snail mail or meeting in person.

They were present during the transition from conventional methods to the modernized approach of various activities.

Now that the world is adapting to more digitally connected interactions, this is where Millennials shine. They can easily navigate their way through different types of gadgets and various digital activities.

Millennials in the workplace

Let’s just put it this way – Millennials know what they want. Their actions are already fueled by their goals. But don’t worry, what they usually want is the best for everyone.

Millennials in the workforce can sometimes be depicted negatively, but don’t get swayed by some of the misconceptions because Millennials can greatly contribute to your company if they are treated with respect.

Since Millennials are used to technology, they have no problem with working remotely or at least having a flexible office option. They crave flexibility, not because they want to work less, but because they want to be able to use their time efficiently. 85% of Millennials prefer full time remote opportunities since they don’t have to worry about commute time.

Read more: How Your Company Culture Informs Employee Work-Life Balance

They are also happier working in their homes or in a coffee shop, and we all know that people are at their best when they are happy (it means more quality work!)

If you need tips on how to cope with the work from home set-up, click here.

Not only are Millennials creative and free-thinkers who have a more imaginative way of thinking of innovative approaches, they also have a passion for learning. They show a deep curiosity about the world and the desire to develop their skills and knowledge that can help them in their careers and their personal growth. Plus, they are more task-oriented than time-oriented.

Best believe that Millennials will not have a difficult time thinking of a creative solution to fix a problem in the workplace. They will let you know of their ideas and opinions and challenge their superiors if they see a need for it.

Millennials are not afraid to say what they think (don’t worry, they are respectful and they know their limits) and act according to what they think is right for them and for everyone around them. This may seem to be a bad trait, but it’s not! They just know when to put their foot down and stand their ground.

Millennials are open-minded and they want to effectively communicate with their superiors and peers. Communication is literally a key to them, so don’t be shy to give them feedback!

In addition to this, Millennials also prefer a mentor-mentee relationship with their supervisors or managers in their own chosen careers. They want to work comfortably with their superiors and ask advice for their career development. This relationship is important to them.

Lastly, Millennials tend to value teamwork and social interactions. They actively share their insights and points of view with a team whether working on projects or brainstorming innovative procedures.

Social interactions such as fun and relaxing activities with their workmates are also important to this generation. This is where they connect with one another and create a more comfortable but productive space for everyone.

Out of team building ideas? We got you! Check these ideas out.

To summarize: It might be easy to roll your eyes whenever someone mentions Millennials but if your organization could use a helping hand when it comes to adopting technology - such as an HR Information System - you might just find that hiring a few more Millennials could help you get up-to-date with tech in the workplace!