Don’t hire Gen-Y? What utter rubbish!
Neer Korn, an Australian market researcher, propounds that businesses shouldn’t hire Gen-Y because they are untrustworthy, disloyal, cynical, blah, blah, blah. Is he serious? Since he seems to run a serious business, more likely it’s just a headline-grabbing stunt, but according to an AAP report in the Herald:
In case any of the executives listening thought he was joking, Korn reiterated his warning: They’d get a better return on investment by hiring older people.
I think Korn really means ‘don’t hire very young people’, because he thinks they’re OK by their late 20s. Ian McKinnon, legendary former headmaster of Scots College and current Pro-chancellor of Victoria University, has often made the observation, based on a lifetime of teaching, that (and I paraphrase) - yes, society changes, but in every year of every generation:
- 4th formers (Year 10) are often stroppy,
- university freshers often get drunk (and do other things they might regret later),
- many new entrants to the workforce are unsure of what they want and struggle with adjusting to becoming working adults,
- and most people evolve over time into something remarkably similar to their parents at the same age (adjusted for societal changes, education, life experiences and personality differences).
When I graduated in 1975, it was normal for young people in IT to move jobs every 3 years or so (as now). What’s new? I’ve never had a problem hiring young people (or older ones for that matter). It’s all about hiring people with the desired mix of skills, experience, potential, passion and principles, and providing them with good leadership, learning, development and job satisfaction.
As business leaders, we each need to keep renewing our industry talent pool, not only for the work young people can do today, but also to ensure that we’ll have experts and leaders in the future. To not do so is to freeload on the rest of industry.
So no, Ben Kepes, Korn’s idea gives me no comfort - I think it’s utter rubbish!
Disclosure: I have two sons in their early 20s, and they are both smart, personable, and decent blokes too. But I would say that, wouldn’t I?
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June 23rd, 2007 at 6:05 pm
LOL - nice rebuttal Jim. Of course my post was also tongue in cheek (with no offence intended).
Disclosure - I’m gen Y and both my kid are… well maybe gen AA will be called into play for their vintage!
June 23rd, 2007 at 7:07 pm
This is a topic that frequently pops up in the media week in week out. Generally, opinion sits with clients dissing Generation Y workers for the reasons stated above. I speak and consult in the marketing/communications side of Generation Y - helping companies communicate more effectively with them, yet I am sure I should be more focused on promoting and fostering support of Gen Y workers!!
In a tight labour market, I see progressive companies not taking the side of ‘not hiring Generation Y” but shifting their organisation mission and values in line with the Generation Y psyche. I see these organisations working with Generation Y, gaining, developing and using their ideas in their business, and making their work environment conducive to progressing their Yer staff through their organisation into higher roles.
In essence, companies can no longer take the ‘do nothing’ approach, they need to look at ways in which they can retain and engage their Y staff in their organisation, fostering and promoting opportunities to progress through the company.
Adam Penberthy
June 24th, 2007 at 9:18 pm
I would argue that it doesnt matter what generation they are from. The key hiring component is whether they fit into your organisation.
Gen Y employees are no different to any others. Perhaps more self focused but that can be a positive force. Their energy, verve and passion is great to see even if for a short period of time.
The world is deconstructing and we are all going to be small nodes in a big system. In the near future working in the same place for more than 5-10 years will seem very odd.
June 24th, 2007 at 11:16 pm
Let’s flood his inbox and tell him what we really think
www.heartbeat.com.au
info@heartbeat.com.au
Personally I think he is and looks like an idiot, just like that ‘Bernard Salt’ prat (www.bernardsalt.com.au), harking on about things they THINK they know about
November 3rd, 2008 at 9:56 am
It all comes down to parents instilling their children with a good work ethic from a young age and rewarding them for it!
I have a fifteen year old who gets up at 4.30am on Mondays/Tuesdays to arrive at his Pak’n'Save job for 5am to start packing freezers before school! He also works 5hrs on Saturday doing the same.
Not many of his mates have the same dedication and typically the ones that do also come from a home with two hard working parents who enjoy their jobs/careers.
I tell all my children that whatever you are doing, even if it’s a mundane task you hate doing, do the best job you can and be proud of your efforts because it will make that mundane task less mundane and easier to acheive!