One is unable to decipher this generation entirely. Some look at them with clear apprehension as they are considered to be narcissistic, laidback, detached at times, entitled and lead sheltered lives. Nevertheless, they are encouraged to be the new age leaders, discerning consumers and big change makers. Yes, they are self assured, team oriented, creative, adventurous, global, entrepreneurial, traditional in an unconventional manner and technologically advanced. Having seen uncertain times and volatile economic conditions, there is a lot more pressure on them to achieve and perform. As a cohort they are redefining how they uphold traditions. They don’t aspire for cookie cutter lives.
Millennials (also known as Generation Y, Digital Natives, Generation Me, Generation Rent and Echo Boomers) are approximately born between 1980-2000.
The “State of the Urban Youth, India 2012: Employment, Livelihoods, Skills,” a report published by IRIS Knowledge Foundation in collaboration with UN-HABITAT states that it is currently predicted that the youth population in India will steadily increase to 464 million by 2021. By 2020, India is set to become the world’s youngest country with 64 per cent of its population in the working age group. Does anyone have an idea how this new breed of young women think? How are they different as Indians from their older generations? What drives them? What doesn’t work for them? What they value? And what doesn’t matter to them anymore?
Here is the Indian millennial woman’s guide to what she wants!
Bigger and better opportunities with multiple employers
Between loyalty to a long term secure employer or bigger/better opportunities with multiple employers, most choose the latter option.Millennial at work reshaping workplace a study by PWC on Indian Millennial also corroborates the fact that the market recession has shaken up the loyalty factor which millennial feel towards their employers. Over a quarter of them expect to have six employers or more, compared to just 10% of them thought so in 2008. 72% millennials feel they are compromising and making a trade off to find a job due to tough economic conditions. Voluntary turnover is almost certain to increase as economic conditions improve. 38% of millennials who are currently employed are proactively looking for a different role and 43% said they were open to other openings. Only 18% expect to stay with their current employer for the long term.
Anwesha, Scientist, Age 25 - So what matters to me NOW – is better/bigger opportunities with multiple employers. What matters to me in FUTURE – long term secure employment.
Mitushi, Student, Age 17 - I love to travel and explore, be it in any sphere of life. I would definitely love to explore the new bigger, better opportunities awaiting me.
Sourabha, Writer, Age 26 -Better opportunities that enable me to learn newer things and discover new possibilities.
Auditi, Copywriter
Auditi, Copywriter, Age 28 - Having seen my father work tirelessly with the same company for over 40 years, I always felt that I would choose one company. In advertising it is the complete opposite. You're considered a big fool if you don't take the right jumps at the right time that is but imperative for one's growth, financially and professionally.
(Photo Credit: PwC’s 14th Annual Global CEO Survey)
Development and work/life balance are more important than just financial benefits.
Their first choice is personal learning and development followed by flexible working hours and third comes cash bonuses at an unexpected third place when they consider what is beneficial for them. Work/life balance and gender diversity policies are not negotiable factors for them. These are now essential musts. With that they are highly attuned and steering their own career progression as a top priority. “52% said this was the main attraction in an employer, coming ahead of competitive salaries in second place (44%).” Millennial at work reshaping workplace report validates this point.
(Photo Credit: PwC’s 14th Annual Global CEO Survey)
Mitushi- Balance in life, according to me, keeps us healthy emotionally and mentally. It is definitely more important for me to lead a balanced and comfortable life rather than one with high pay but no peace (as compared to the other). Plus, I am a feminist and uphold the values of equal pay as per their position for all, be it a man, woman or any other.
Auditi - It has to be both. If I am content with the figure that I bring home every month, then I would look forward to trainings and travel, as I believe it's a part of the process of learning. Like most of the people I know, I simply do not like working on weekends. I try and finish the given job within the designated time, so that work doesn't spill over onto my personal time. It helps me maintain my work-life balance rather well, and it helps me better my productivity too.
Each person should get the pay that is suited to his/her job profile and that justifies the amount of work put in, whether male, or female. It is very important to me, although I haven't witnessed many cases of gender discrimination when it comes to equal pay and benefits. If I come across any discrimination in this regard, I could be more than likely to raise my voice. .
Sourabha Rao, Writer
Sourabha, Writer, Age 26- Work/life balance like - flexible timings, food/travel allowance, and training is more important. I am responsible for two lives, me and my mother. So career progression means pretty much everything to me, personally.
Pay and benefit should solely be based on merit and skills and talent and efficiency and never on gender.
Nirmala Mathew
Nirmala Mathew, Project Manager, Age 29 - I'd say the former although you shouldn't be underpaid for your work. Training is especially important to continue to stay relevant in today's changing times.
Women are doubly exploited - those women who beat their chests and say that they manage the home and workplace well, the superwomen so to speak, are actually super exploited since they work double without being paid and have somehow been brainwashed by the system to think that this is a good thing. It is not!!! Daycare and maternity leave should be provided by the government for families, men should participate in domestic chores to a greater degree etc. The one-off gender diverse workplace is all well and good but unless there is a systemic recognition of women's contribution, things will not change.
Surkhi, ICT and Communications Manager, Age 30 - Work/life balance. Gender diversity is essential. To me career progression is to be able to do different things and apply as many skills as I can to the work I do, apart from other aspects of my life. So, in the non-traditional sense of what career progression means, it’s important for me to progress and develop skills and be flexible.
Handling the older generations differently
They treat the older generation as friends; respect is not just born out of the need to credit someone’s age, rather for honest regard for their guidance, experience and mentorship. They are not subservient, fearful or giving into what elders dictate but definitely value real and reasonable support from them.
Anwesha, Scientist.
Anwesha, Scientist, Age 25 - I think older generation workers are meant for guidance and support, and not exactly for relating too.
Auditi- Some of them are only 37 or 40. They are able to; in fact guide us so well. They let us make our own mistakes, they let us experiment and yet they are full of ideas and suggestions stemming from their own experience that only takes our work several notches higher, almost every time.
Surkhi- I can handle them well enough to be able to voice my concerns and ideas with confidence.
Redefining traditions; love and marriage
The Indian Millennial woman is unwilling to consider marriage as a security net and the act of supposedly “settling down.” She believes in love and being with her love interest is the reason why she would consider marriage. Her confidence in her own self, shows what she believes is “real love”. She is not weak, secondary and just a fixture in a man’s life. The parameter for love and marriage are changing for them - True friendship, respect, being each other’s support system, space, and understanding.
Nirmala Mathew- Marriage is important but only when I meet someone who will walk that long road with me :) In some cases, people decide to marry and get to know each other deeply after marriage and that works. But having observed my friends and having had harrowing experiences of my own, I'd say one should know the person through and through before marrying. Knowing their intent towards you and their choices and core values because if those do not match yours then no amount of chemistry and gazing at the moon together will make your relationship or marriage last. Real love takes work I've come to realise :)
Sourabha- Don't know how to define love although one can keep on writing what it means to them all their life. :-) Marriage, haven’t thought about it. I am happy being single and where I am today.
Surkhi– Love means mutual respect for one another, being there for one another, something common to relate to and also a sense of partnership in facing together what the world throws our way. Add a big scoop of humor to it and a true sense of reality at both ends. Marriage is not at all important.
Anwesha– Love for me is Three C’s – Comfort, Compatibility and Compassion. I believe in spending my life with my love interest. Society accepts a legal term – marriage, so be it.