When it comes to the workplace, millennials totally get a bad rap. The generation (usually defined as those born after 1982 and before 2004) is currently making up about 60% of the workforce – you would assume that we would be less misunderstood, right?
Wrong! Wanna know why?
It’s because the head honchos at the workplaces currently still comprise of baby boomers and Gen X, that’s why. Thanks to them, (not all lah of course, there’s still cool Gen X’s) we millennials face a bunch of cliché stereotypes at work all the time. Like, seriously all the time.
So without further ado, here are the top 7 stereotypes about working millennials that we are sick of hearing.
1. We are IT wizards
Look, just because we’re not afraid to fiddle around on computer and phone settings doesn’t mean we know why your computer is overheating, lagging, freezing or whatever. If I could get a ringgit every time an older colleague asked me an IT related question, I would be earning more than my fresh grad salary.
2. We are not competent/experienced enough to give ideas
Just because we’re young, doesn’t mean we’re stupid. Sometimes when we give opinions, especially something in a field we’re really good at (like, social media), we see ourselves getting sidelined because ‘we are not experienced enough’. Constructive criticism is okay, but if we give a really good idea, at least listen lahhh!
3. We are very lazy
This is the most common misconception. Did you know, 1 in 5 millennials have side jobs? So not only do we have 9 to 5 jobs, most of us are actually driving GRAB/Uber, do freelance writing, modelling or even selling stuff online for side income. We’re all about hustling hard, and yet we’re stereotyped as lazy. How lah like dis?
4. We play around at the work place
OK, this has some grain of truth in it, BUT have you heard of the phrase ‘All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy’? Yeah, we millennials take that to the heart. Sure, old people might argue saying that work and play should not mix, but FYI – people who have light moments at work are actually more productive than those that are serious all the time.
So the next time you see us having a quick giggle fest about some random meme, don’t stew in your own hate la, bro. Come join in the fun!
5. We have no respect for our superiors
It’s funny how the older generation often mistake genuine curiosity with being rude. Not funny as in ha-ha, but more of a ‘eurghhh’.
Actually, millennials do respect authoritative figures. We just resist the type of authority that originates in a “because I said so” attitude. We want to know why are things done a certain way, and if we have a suggestions for improvements, we want to voice them out.
So yeah, we differ than the older generation in that sense, but what they see as disrespect is actually just us not kowtow-ing to the traditional structures of authority. Why is that a bad thing?
6. We cannot work in a professional office environment
Now this is tricky. What actually constitutes as a professional office environment, anyway? What the older generation is mad about is simply the fact that were not interested in maintaining the traditional environment. Why should we be, when it’s proven that a millennial-friendly workplace actually increases productivity?
7. We can’t work in teams
This is completely false. Just cause we’re part of the ‘selfie’ generation, doesn’t mean we’re all about Me, Me, Me. No matter how self obsessed or entitled you think a millennial is, we all prefer team work. It’s been ingrained in us since childhood mah. Remember High School Musical?
8. We are always on social media (even while at work)
Statistics show that 1 in 3 millennials said social media freedom is a higher priority than salary. So it’s pretty fair to say that we care a lot about using social media, wherever we are. Well, we are a digital native generation, what did you expect?
However, it’s not true 100% of the time because, Whatsapp, Messenger, and other social media platforms or messaging apps are much better mediums of communication. There’s a reason why a lot of clients prefer moving from email threads to Whatsapp! It’s much more convenient and easier! Forget all those stupid formalities in an email and let’s get straight to the point!
Have any other stereotypes that you feel working millennials are subjected to? Share with us in our Facebook comments section!
Also read: 8 Coolest Co-Working Spaces in Klang Valley You NEED to Check Out
