Millennials need fun, flexibility at work? HUH?

I was starting to think that the Millennial generation was losing momentum in the work force, the reports of people 16-26 having an unemployment rate of 13% is pretty scary. But leave it to CNN to bring us back into the spotlight with their series this week “CNN is taking a closer look at people between age 18 and 30 or the Millennial generation -- who they are, how they work and what they want from life.”

The headline is “Millennials need fun, flexibility at work,” well doesn’t everyone want fun and flexibility at work? DUH! My interest was sparked, not necessarily just because I’m a Millennial but because I wanted to hear about this illusive workplace environment that supposedly exist.

This article showcases a Millennial that is working at Texas-based company, HotSchedules. It is safe to say that this company is not anywhere near reality. The Millennial being interviewed decided he wanted to travel and take a year off of work they gave it to him…. I’m sorry WHAT?! Their company has massage chairs and a game room, okay awesome, but what kind of work expectations do these employees have? Do they have numbers to meet? Required hours they need to put in? That was something CNN did not share.

I truly believe anyone, at any age would be more willing to come to work if that is what they got to walk into everyday, with little required expectations. But the truth is times are tough, expectations are high and many of us are working for less pay than we should be, in cubicles that are a little tight and hoping that the next raise will be more than 2% or for some just a raise at all.

A Gen-Y consultant gave this quote, "The reality is, we've had parents who have told us how great we are since we were kids, you know. We listen to Baby Einstein to get smarter. We go to school and suffer from grade inflation, and if we didn't get an A, we went and negotiated. We've built up our self-esteem, and the result is, we can't deal with adversity.” I really can’t even dignify this with a comment other than what school did this kid go to?! Yes, I have high self-esteem but I worked my butt off in school to achieve it. Sidenote: I personally never watched or understood the Baby Einstein craze (it’s really trippy), but I did watch 90210 a little too early in life probably.

The one part of this article I completely agree with is, "We want to make a difference from day one, which is totally huge. We show up, and that's why we think we should be vice president.” Someday we will make a difference at work. Until then, like I’ve said before, find a way to make a difference OUTSIDE of work. I've been helping out with a Labrador rescue (Save a Lab NC), I can feel accomplished knowing I have a job and I am making a difference in some way.

And, if you read the end of the article... no I don't just blog or do my job so i can post to Facebook!