Why we dislike Gen Y
They might be young and tech savvy, but as employees, Millennials aren't all thatAdmittedly, Generation Y (also known as Millennials) make quite an impression in the workforce with their tech-savvy skills, confident personalities and social media expertise.
But what some employers don’t realise is that Gen Y possesses a number of traits that – frankly – need improvement.
Here are our ten reasons why you shouldn’t hire one.
1. They’re self-centred.
Gen Y grew up in a world that revolved solely around them, due to their parents giving them excessive amounts of attention. Gen Y will always put its needs well before those of the company.
2. They think they’re entitled.
Being rewarded and applauded for everything they did growing up, Gen Y has a sense of entitlement. They feel as if they should receive praise every step of the way. In an article in Time Magazine, it was reported that 40% of Gen Y believe they should receive a promotion every two years.
3. They’re job hoppers.
Looking for a loyal employee? Don’t expect to find one in Gen Y. Alphagroup.com reports that 60% of these young workers say it’s highly unlikely they’ll stay with their current employer for the remainder of their career.
4. They don’t take critical feedback.
Gen Y constantly asks for feedback. However, since they’ve always received admiration for anything and everything they do, they don’t deal well with constructive criticism. Gen Y requires a gold star every day it shows up for work.
5. They have no strong work ethic.
Gen Y will not put in the same amount of work as previous generations. Rather than staying late to finish work, they want flexible schedules. They’re focused on work-life balance, not on spending all their time on their career.
6. They’re blunt and overly expressive.
Sure, Gen Y may be more open-minded than previous generations, but they tend to overdo it. They feel very strongly about self-expression and want to be heard. They’ll often make their opinions public by posting long rants on social media.
7. They’re impatient.
While Gen Y may be tech-savvy, they’re also too dependent on technology. They’ve become accustomed to having everything delivered to them instantly, and have little patience. They avoid making phone calls to communicate and prefer texting or using social media.
8. They’re borderline narcissists.
Gen Y likes to think of itself as prized possessions. They believe they deserve high-level positions as soon as they enter the workforce, simply because they have certain skills. Gen Y doesn’t quite understand the process of working your way up a ladder.
9. They don’t like authority.
Gen Y has an issue with being told what to do. It doesn’t like being given tedious tasks without having the purpose explained to them. They think they know more than everyone else, so show little respect for leaders.
10. They’re ungrateful.
Perhaps worst of all, when they finally enter the real world, most of Gen Y moves back in with Mum and Dad. Having this safety net allows them to be fussy, and gives them more time to be selective searching for a job. So they’re constantly looking for more – and are hardly ever satisfied with what they have.
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