Interestingly, when the researchers asked the same (study) questions to students, the students felt twice as strongly as the Millennials in the study that university academic codes are too strict.
- Compared with other generations, Millennials are twice as likely to indicate they would take credit for someone else’s work.
- Millennials would be twice as likely to sabotage co-workers, for example if the company was facing the possibility of layoffs, they would sabotage another person’s career to help protect themselves from being laid off.
- Millennials are far more comfortable using social media for personal reasons at work. (It’s immediate gratification.)
- Millennials didn’t view as wrong taking sick time off when they weren’t sick. They think of it as similar to vacation time an entitlement?). They answered the follow up question about whether they ever broke company ethical policies by saying,” No.”
Since there were no studies of how Boomers viewed workplace ethics in their 20s compared with older generations, it’s difficult to assess whether Millennials will change their attitudes on those rules and norms as they grow older. However, given how society in general has gotten more cavalier with honesty and civility, it is likely that employers will have to take initiatives to prevent harm to people and the organization from ethical disconnects.
- First, employers need to think more flexibly and understand the reasons for the behaviors. Clearly the priorities differ. If the behavior is unacceptable, a civil dialogue is necessary.
- Before bad habits become ingrained, employers need to set out and discuss expectations on both sides from day one of employment. These issues should be covered in orientation and then reiterated a month or two later.
- Custom design ethical training for Millennials in a way that they “get it” and understand how the rules benefit them and are necessary for company success.
- Orientation ethical rules and expectations should be discussed with new employees of all generations.
© Phyllis Weiss Haserot 2017.
* The generational chronology for easy reference: Generations are defined by the similar formative influences – social, cultural, political, economic – that existed as the individuals of particular birth cohorts were growing up. Given that premise, the age breakdowns for each of the four generations currently in the workplace are approximately:
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