In the October 4, 2010 issue of Thompson’s Insurance News there is an article on “’Gen Y’ Recruiting Requires New Understanding of Workers” – reporting on a session from the 2010 Risk & Insurance Management Society Canada Conference. The report is on an address by MarsUSA managing director Dan McGarvey. It makes a number of very good points – and it seemed to me some very true tongue in cheek humour. This publication is not generally available so I’ll repeat the best parts here:
“If you think 20-somethings entering the insurance industry are disrespectful, self-involved and always looking for shortcuts, you’re right. But those aren’t necessarily liabilities. ... the “millennial” generation doesn’t respond to the same carrots or sticks as earlier generations. The average 21 year old will have four or five jobs before age 30. So it’s hard to motivate Gen Y workers with promises that patience and paying dues will lead to slow but steady promotion and a good pension. More Gen Y’ers believe in UFOs than social security.” D A H !!!
“McGarvey cited frequent stereotypes associated with 20-somethings:
-they don’t respect authority. They respect authority that’s earned, not artificial titles. Where boomers might consider a 30-year company veteran a font of wisdom borne of experience, the Gen Y is more likely to consider him a loser for staying in one place for his entire working life. Is 15 years of experience just one year repeated 15 times?
-They’re always looking for short cuts. Yes, and that’s good. It makes a company more efficient.”
“Stereotyping swings both ways, and boomers might squirm to know how they appear to the brave new cohorts:
-They are technically illiterate and don’t even try to keep up.
-they are slow to adapt to change. “We’ve always done it this way” is simply not an acceptable explanation to Gen Y.
-They’re no fun. Millennials make no apologies for having a life outside work, nor for bringing their irreverence and sense of humour to the job.”
“Want to send a downy-cheeked recruit to your competition. Mr. McGarvey offered some ways to alienate Gen Y.
-use standards other than the quality or quantity of their work to evaluate them. So they dress casually and flaunt piercings and tattoos – if they get the job done and don’t interact with clients, why not?
-give the “dues paying” lecture. It just doesn’t register.”
Definitely food for thought.
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