Millennials

This past Sunday I was gearing up to watch the latest episode of The Amazing Race and found myself caught up in a 60 Minutes story beforehand. No, it wasn't Andy Rooney complaining about something that annoys him (ps- why do they still give him air time?) but a story about a group called "Millennials." Read the full article here.

Apparently, I am a Millennial and didn't even know it. Millennials are people born between 1980 and 1995... beyond generation X and Y. According to the piece, Millennials were raised in a world where no one is a loser and everyone gets their way. The story went on to say that big businesses are having to teach their older employees how to do with this "take your job and shove it" crowd and harness their "I can be whatever you want to be" attitude. Please watch the video, where you will either be insulted or completely agree, depending on your age.

Now, I will say that maybe it's because I'm a Millennial that I feel a slightly indignant about some of the statements being made. I don't think that I have a "take your job and shove it" attitude, or that I can't deal with authority. But, I will say that I definitely subscribe to the belief that you can be a lot more casual in the workplace and still get a hell of a lot of work done. In my opinion, I definitely feel like I can be more productive when I'm in comfortable clothes than when I'm decked out in a suit and tie.... yet I also understand that you have to make a decent presentation of yourself when necessary, so I'm not always against the formal attire.

It's definitely true companies will have to adjust to a new work ethic with younger employees, but new doesn't necessarily mean bad... and may even mean better. At my desk at work I currently have a computer, a multi-line phone, a blackberry, a television, several magazines and often listen to my iPod while I mindlessly type away. Does this mean I have a short attention span? Maybe. Does it mean I get less work done? I don't think so.

How do you feel about this notion of Millennials? Do you notice the difference in attitude between younger and older workers? Do you think that the piece was fair in its assumptions and claims? Do you disagree with much of piece (like me,) because it was written and produced by the older generations and not a Millennial? Let me know what you think.