WE WANT AN INCLUSIVE WORKPLACE: GEN Y

Gen Y - a whole new generation.

Across the island, most companies here are faced with the same problem – understanding the Gen Y and what they can do to retain this young generation.

More often than not, Gen Y has been labelled as being too demanding and are infamous for their tendency to job-hop, amongst other grouses mentioned by those interviewed.

Mr Frank Kuijsters, Director of Digne Consult Asia Pacific which specialises in organisations management development, said: “If you look, many managers are still of the generation that is a bit older and sometimes they do not know how to deal with this younger generation.”

He added: “And then, what do they do after a certain period of time? They leave the organisation because the manager doesn’t know how to deal with them.”

For companies with a multi-generational environment, understanding the needs of each employee is the key in ensuring efficiency within an organisation. Mr Kuijsters said: “Look for what the needs are for Gen Y related to benefits, what they are looking for, what are their needs and adjust to their needs.”

Nurhidayah, 21, a civil servant agreed: “People have this thinking that we are too young to do things at work so probably if you change the aspect and just see us as a worker as the same as the seniors, I think that would like benefit us a lot.”

A timeline of the different generation throughout the years.

Nebo NTUC Club, which has a dynamic environment with nearly 85% of its employees consisting of the Gen Y’s, has implemented strategies like sharing sessions, bonding activities and coaching from the start of their career to meet their needs.

Senior Manager of Nebo NTUC Club, Ms Gigi Low explained: “They appreciate coaching in their early years.”

When prompted on what do they hope to see in their organisation, most wanted an inclusive work culture where opportunities are given. 

Polytechnic student, Elizabeth Choo, 19 explained: “I think the culture of the workplace is very important like if there is a good culture like family kind of culture where everybody trusts and accepts each other and honesty is very valued and honoured.”

“There is somewhat an alignment of understanding like this is who I am and that’s who you are and you accept me as it is,” added Erica Eusliani Md Eunos, 25, a logistics executive.

Meanwhile, on their part, the Gen Y could also take initiatives to further enhance their relationship with their colleagues and ensure efficiency in the organisation.

“We are able to do well in certain aspects but for other aspects, maybe the older generations could do better, just the give and take in that sense,” said Gasper Chan, a 20-year-old Polytechnic student.

Ummi Thahirah, 23, an admin-account assistant added: “I mean you need to take the risk and sacrifice to actually get to where you want to be.”