Article Link: http://stage.exchangepress.com/article/working-with-generation-y/5019590/
The new groove is entering the workforce now! Generation Y’s 32 million U.S. workers will increase to approximately 21% of the workforce in the next 3 years. In a child care and early education industry dominated by young workers, that means Generation Y-ers (16-30 year olds) are members of your staff.• Are you working to move them professionally forward or does it feel like you are fighting with your teenager about cleaning his or her room?
• How can we engage young workers’ interests, knowledge, and skills to greater effect?
• How can the early childhood community successfully support professional development in this dynamic workforce?
In a recent survey by Lee Hecht Harrison (2005), a leading workforce development firm, more than 60% of employers say they are experiencing tension between employees from different generations and more than 70% of older employees are dismissive of younger workers’ abilities. Much of the tension occurs when Baby Boomers (born between 1946 and 1964) and Generation X-ers (born between 1967 and 1984) perceive Gen Y-ers’ vibes as lack of commitment to the job, unreal expectations for advancement, or attitudes that reflect, “I’m not going to give this 100%.” For us lifers in early education, that sounds ...