OK, I read yet another article about how the Gen Y workforce will revolutionize the workplace with their "social network skills" and their knowledge of technology, all that c..p. I cannot take it anymore.
I manage large engineering and tech projects for a living. It is an environment that has no use whatsoever for people that ask for more holidays and the right to work fewer hours for less productivity and no stake whatsoever - of any generation or age or experience. Won't touch with a barge pole.
I see that my business hires only dynamic, interested individuals, that bring me profits against reasonable hours. In return, contractors may get bonuses and referrals, and perms get increases, because I want to keep them. The other few that manage to sneak through quickly fail the probation period.
Want experience and the right to use Facebook at the expense of the employer? Go get it somewhere else, find a place where productivity doesn't matter. Public service for instance, they'll welcome your throughput there.
I'm always surprised at how generalised my colleagues agree, yet with the PCness nobody ever says anything out loud..
If you're an employer, what is YOUR experience ?
If you're an employee, OK, let it rip now...
OK - well I am a Gen X working for a large media organisation.
We have Boomers, X and Y employees... (and Z ??)
I have been managing staff for nearly 20yrs... In my experience a lazy employee is a lazy employee and some of the worst I have had have been the older staff - male and female.
We take interns and work experience students and predominately these are Gen Y's - and in nearly all cases they work their socks off... with a number offerred full time roles.
Our IT policy allows occassional personal use of Internet and does not restrict social media sites - it is up to the managers to police. I sacked a 37yo because he was spending too much time on FB...
We try to be an employer of choice and have some flexi policies - but at the end of the day the job needs to get done and it's the job of supervisors and managers to both motivate and manage staff performance... some individuals take more time and effort than others!!
I dont understand the FB at work thing, when I get to work thats the last thing I want to do. I dont even take private phone calls at work. Ive got work to do, oh and Seabreeze 
I had a meeting with a rep from the state Govt, he told me that there was huge concern particularly in the STEM industries of which the OP is from with regards to Gen Y. This I resulting in huge skills gaps when combined with retiring Boomers.
It seems that Gen Y does not want to work up the chain due the 'I want it now' mindset.
As a Gen X'er it just leaves greater opportunity for me.
and I dont post on weekends or when I leave work
I've been on "how to replace the workforce" committees for a couple of very large corporations.
Yes there is the basic mathematical side of it, that is, where do we find new blood. Unfortunately, outsourcing offshore will continue to partly fill the gap, in IT, call centers, support centers and other domains.
The other aspect is how do we get the new workforce to... work. Those meetings have to be carefully worded: officially we use pretty words such as how to "motivate" them, incentivization packages, new methodologies, and so on. Behind closed doors: there are too many parasites and brats, there's nothing to be done, what are we gonna do about it.
I consider myself lucky, I have the freedom of applying the tricks aforementioned: rewards for work, and a killer probation period for the useless ones (of any age). Large companies do not have this latitude. I feel sorry for many of my counterparts...
Gen X:
With the Lights out it's less dangerous
Here we are now entertain us
I feel stupid and contagious
Here we are now entertain us
Gen Y:
P-p-p-poker face, p-p-poker face
(Mum mum mum mah)
P-p-p-poker face, p-p-poker face
(Mum mum mum mah)
(btw i took me three, THREE sites until I found one I could copypasta lyrics from, not just share on ****ing facebook)
^^^ I don't think there is an exact time.
I was born in Tassie
I think it is 2003 there at the moment. I live in Perth, it is at least 2009 here at the moment...
And... I think all of Queensland is enjoying the year 1977, err this year, there
This same question comes around every ten years, about the up and coming generation.
It's history, repeating itself, as the older generation forgets that they too, were young and revolutionary once.
FB only at lunch in your own time.
Same goes for youtube etc unless it is work related. We use skype a fair bit, sometimes easier and less disruptive than picking up the phone or sending an email. Also a bit more immediate due to the time it takes for emails to get through firewalls etc...Works great when your collegues are overseas. When you need to "capture" something important I will say put it in email so it is more official and is recorded.
Pierrec45 - what type of engineers cause you the most issues? Most of my Grad Mech's are guns and in no way lazy or demanding. All have a good attitude to work/life balance and keep the place fresh and innovative, keeps me on my toes .
