Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM MARCH 2019 62 T hey emerge from their habitat (Starbucks) red-eyed and overflowing with expectations, ready to meet the workforce and find THE Most Awesome Job. Most of my fellow employers find the typical millennial applicant to be not worth the time or energy to train. I, however, have found them to be surprisingly sharp and extremely resourceful. Being a fellow millennial myself (scoff), I speak the language and I want to let you in on my secrets. I have found that the Millennial workforce comes with an ocean of knowledge that most experienced employees are lacking. This is because they are able to research and find information quickly and efficiently which circumvents any lack of skills. A quiet confidence is often endearing compared to the "know-it-all" bravado that a tenured, experienced employee might exude. With this young knowledge, hungry spirit and energy, just wind them up and point them in a direction, and you will be surprised how far they can go. Millennials have been told their entire lives that they can accomplish anything and get a blue ribbon for it. These young workers crave your approval and love it when you hold their hand and tell them that they are special. Small shout-outs and kudos are needed constantly. It's exhausting, but when you show interest in their goals and aspirations, it builds a bond between them and your company. Millennials do not enter a job with the mindset that they will be working at this job until they die. If they dislike their boss or feel they are being mistreated, they will be out of there faster than you can say "Snapchat." Show them that you have a future in mind for them, show them what they can become, and what they can accomplish and strive for. If they see a dead end, they will bolt. If someone offers them that piece of candy (or health benefits) when you haven't, they will hop right into that stranger's van. The biggest setback that I have encountered with the Millennial workforce is the mindset of the Millennials vs. Baby Boomers. The Baby Boomer mindset is that the harder you work, the more money you will make. 11-hour days and feeling guilty for ever taking a sick day is part of the deal; that is just the service industry, in general. Millennials, however, have been told that they can do anything and become anyone. This includes hobbies, dating, work and play. Millennials absolutely value their free time; they don't believe in working themselves to death for an unrealistic deadline. Honestly, I believe this is because they have seen their parents come home on those late nights, seen the tired bags under their eyes, and know that that isn't the life they want to lead. They have decided that if they can do anything and become anyone, that person is not their parents. Working five days a week to only live for two is not the mentality anymore. They want their free time to go home, watch YouTube, and go on Tinder dates. It is a weird concept to write an article to tell people to treat their young employees like they are human and have lives outside of work, but here we are. Here is the secret to keeping them happy — let them go home. Working 12-hour days has been putting generations into early graves. There is more to life than the three hours between getting home from work and going to bed. And Millennials are realizing this and ditching jobs because of it. They would rather be poor, live in their unfurnished shack with five roommates, than sacrifice their weekend hikes and afternoon rock climbing. Sometimes employers treat their staff like they are disposable, "There are a hundred kids out there waiting to take your job," when in reality, you, the employer, are disposable in their eyes. With a little extra affirmation and patience on your part, you have the possibility of an energy-filled, driven employee that can take your company into the next generation. Loren Husk — General Manager, Cody's Appliance Repair S E R V I C E D E P A R T M E N T RO THE DREADED MILLENNIAL

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