Needy millennials expect more workplace support than any other generation

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The Apple generation is much more needy in the workplace
The Apple generation is much more needy in the workplace

Millennials expect more from management teams and require more support in the workplace than any other generation, according to new research.

A Cascade HR study of 1,000 bosses and senior level managers from companies across the UK found that, out of the four generations; Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials and Generation Z, millennials came out on top as the most demanding set of employees. Just under two-thirds of bosses said that workers of this generation required the most guidance and support from managers.

When asked about workers they’ve dealt with over their careers, 48 percent of bosses felt that millennial employees were more reliant on detailed targets and required regular progress meetings in order to stay motivated. However, the majority of bosses agreed that these demands for support indicated that millennials were highly career driven.

Over one third (39 percent) of bosses named generation X as the most self-sufficient workers, when asked which age group was more suited to an independent working style. This group required less guidance from management teams, with Baby Boomers coming in at a close second at 34 percent.

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Millennials were also cited as the generation most incentivised by reward and praise, 41 percent said as much, closely followed by Generation X (26 percent), Baby Boomers (22 percent) and Generation Z (11 percent), while Generation X had the biggest desire for a work life balance.

With millennials expecting more from their employers, 51 percent of managers admitted that it’s difficult to find and retain these workers for a long time. Baby Boomers were cited as the most loyal towards their employers from UK bosses.

Robert joined the HRreview editorial team in October 2015. After graduating from the University of Salford in 2009 with a BA in Politics, Robert has spent several years working in print and online journalism in Manchester and London. In the past he has been part of editorial teams at Flux Magazine, Mondo*Arc Magazine and The Marine Professional.

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