Working with Generation Y? A video conference/workshop I just finished.

burniegoeasily · 04-06-2009, 10:17 AM

Not sure if this is political or not, but I found it rather telling of the direction of our country. I just finished up watching a video conference/workshop , which was mandatory, labeled, "œworking with Generation Y". In other words, kids who are freshly out of college and new to the work force. Roughly 25 year olds down. The conference basically was to prepare the work force for what we are getting. It made enormous efforts to point out that this generation is a "œme" generation, that is very self absorbed. This conference cautioned workers on how to handle this generation and their under achievement attitudes. It also went on about how this generation does not except long term goals, that the immediate satisfaction is expected and to take that in account when working with them. It was suggested that, we as dept. heads, not give long term goals, yet break down our objectives into small chunks and slowly add as we go. This was suggested to prevent them from quitting or laying down. It also suggested that we should lavish praise on them for the slightest accomplishment. I can go on and on. I set there watching thinking to myself, "œthis is got to be a joke". I always thought that if you did not cut the mustard, you got fired. I am simply beside myself. A conference/work shop to prepare the rest of the workers to accept mediocrity??? What the hell.

I guess I have not experienced this yet. The youngest person I work with is 28, so I guess I have not seen this yet. Am I right in thinking, this is simple P.C. B.S. ? Have any of you heard of this, experienced this, or been warned of this???

Those of you who belong to this generation, is this correct? I would hope not. And by no means am I pointing fingers or intending on bashing anyone with this thread. I just couldn"™t believe what I was seeing and hearing.

HuntingEd · 04-06-2009, 11:19 AM

As one who belongs to this generation, I seethis sometimes, butit shouldnt be excusable. In myexperiences its best to just treat them as normal, because what they really need is a wake up call.

It drives me nuts that my generation get characterized this way, it is by no means the norm. We dont need to be treated as some 'short bus' group that needs manipulation to be productive. Just give those bad apples a taste of reality by firing them if they cant keep up. In todays economy it will be easy to find replacements who are willing and able.

I feel like its discrimination!

Either way I attribute the root cause to parenting, or lack thereof. There is a whole generation of parents who thought spanking was bad cause you might somehow make them psychotic or that you couldnt let a kid fail because no one is a failure. What the heck do you expect as a result?Now this parenting generation continues their obsurd 'sheltering' by implementing new workplace standards (or should I say excuses) to accept these poorly parented kids. Do I need to remind everyone that its the same generation of parents that has gotten this country into the disaster we are in now?

So quit worrying about how generation Y is going to ruin the future. Your generation already f'd things up for us, on an ifinite number of levels. Since we are generation Y, can we start calling you all Generation-F? I can think a few good adjectives that start w/ F...

Alsatian · 04-06-2009, 12:04 PM

Companies depend upon hiring employees. You can't always walk away from what is available. I'm not countenancing what you are talking about, I'm just suggesting that it may not always be an option to can those who don't measure up, not if you want to remain fully staffed. Fortunately I don't need to deal with people like that where I work.

burniegoeasily · 04-06-2009, 12:06 PM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: HuntingEd

Either way I attribute the root cause to parenting, or lack thereof. There is a whole generation of parents who thought spanking was bad cause you might somehow make them psychotic or that you couldnt let a kid fail because no one is a failure. What the heck do you expect as a result?Now this parenting generation continues their obsurd 'sheltering' by implementing new workplace standards (or should I say excuses) to accept these poorly parented kids. Do I need to remind everyone that its the same generation of parents that has gotten this country into the disaster we are in now?

I agree, 100%. Parents, not all, but many would rather give their kids xboxes, cell phones, allow them to veg infront of the T.V., etc. etc.. Instead of take care of them. So what do we expect.

Quote:

So quit worrying about how generation Y is going to ruin the future. Your generation already f'd things up for us, on an ifinite number of levels. Since we are generation Y, can we start calling you all Generation-F? I can think a few good adjectives that start w/ F...

I was not attacking anyone. I am not worried. If I hire someone, they do the job. If they can"™t, they get fired. I am notsubscribing to the notions expressed in this workshop. By posting this, I was simply pointing out the craziness in this workshop. And how crazy it is that we actually feel the need to do P.C. crap like this. As far as my generation screwing things up. I"™m only 40. My generation was coined the slacker generation. We F-ed up your future by voting in Clinton and Bush #1.
We saw a push in education that saidself esteem is more important than knowledge, understanding, and performance. And we set idly by and allowed it. And many of my generation are those parents that allowed their kids to get out of control by what I mentioned about bad parents above. I will point out that the greatest generation, Apply named, needs a round of applause. They created the luxuries we have experienced. Did it without a gripe. Started from nothing and built our nation into what we have enjoyed. Mind you, not what we see today. Each generation since has had it better than they did. And each generation was better than the one before, ever since. My kids are in middle school. I have a feeling they will not have it as well as I do, when they get into the working world.

HuntingEd · 04-06-2009, 12:36 PM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: burniegoeasily

Quote:

So quit worrying about how generation Y is going to ruin the future. Your generation already f'd things up for us, on an ifinite number of levels. Since we are generation Y, can we start calling you all Generation-F? I can think a few good adjectives that start w/ F...

I was not attacking anyone. I am not worried. If I hire someone, they do the job. If they can"™t, they get fired. I am not prescribing to the notions expressed in this workshop. By posting this, I was simply pointing out the craziness in this workshop. And how crazy it is that we actually feel the need to do P.C. crap like this. As far as my generation screwing things up. I"™m only 40. My generation was coined the slacker generation. We F-ed up your future by voting in Clinton and Bush #1.
We saw a push in education that saidself esteem is more important than knowledge, understanding, and performance. And we set idly by and allowed it. And many of my generation are those parents that allowed their kids to get out of control by what I mentioned about bad parents above. I will point out that the greatest generation, Apply named, needs a round of applause. They created the luxuries we have experienced. Did it without a gripe. Started from nothing and built our nation into what we have enjoyed. Mind you, not what we see today. Each generation since has had it better than they did. And each generation was better than the one before, ever since. My kids are in middle school. I have a feeling they will not have it as well as I do, when they get into the working world.

Dont worry, I'm not feeling attacked, I just was annoyed w/ the whole generation this, generation that. For a nation that is PC they sure are quick to stereotype everyon by their generation...

Ever heard of the philosophy of negative vs. positivefreedom? I think our country is a prime example of negative freedom, and repeatedly it is only when our freedoms are threatend that we come together as a nation a refresh anew... Unfortuately the last time it happend the 'refreshing' only lasted a few months...

BigTiny · 04-06-2009, 03:20 PM

Ed, I'm 41, so that puts me in Generation X. There was a lot of yakking back in the day about what slackers we were. Now that we have fought a whole slew of military campaigns from Reagan to Bush II (all volunteer BTW), I don't think that sentiment prevails anymore. Sure, there were a few "Clinton Jugend" back then that were government-sponsored slackers, and I'm sure they got lots of attention. I was kind of busy back then, and out of the country quite a bit, so I didn't really notice them at the time. I'm sure those slackers we were lumped in with can still be found at Starbuck's. Don't worry about being stereotyped by your generation. Let your work speak for itself.

mudhead1s wife · 04-06-2009, 06:52 PM

Last summer I attended a mentoring conference and one of the sessions I attended was about bridging generation gaps. We thought that this would be very beneficial since we have kids from 5-15 in the program and except volunteers 18 and up. It was mostly focused on how gen Y is big into technology and the X'ers are pretty adequate with this, the boomers are into high technology, and then there is the traditionalists who aren't into techno gizmo's at all. They said that meetings should be conducted by email when possible and they also spoke of the praising the Y'ers a lot and what not. For me it was a total waste of time. It was all about how each individual was raised and their personality. To me it seemed that they were breaking their backs to get people to volunteer and try to make everyone happy and convenient for all. Since when has that worked and if it were possible there wouldn't be a lack of volunteers.

I agree a standard should be given and it is there responsibility to take care of it. That is what life is all about.

thndrchiken · 04-06-2009, 10:21 PM

I have to agree with Ed on this one, the biggest problem this country is facing with the gen y'ers is their parents. The your so special, and you can do anything, blah, blah blah. Instead of preparing them for the real world they got coddled. Then they enter the workplace and refuse to accept well you got a diploma but you still have to start at the bottom and work up. They want the job that the person who has been working for 20 + years has and wants to start at the same pay as well. I'm in my early forties and while I was growing up I was told if you want something you work for it and save your pennies and eventually you be able to afford it. Kids these days want it all handed to them. Can't even walk across town to go to school, have to get a ride.