Since 2015, millennials (those born between 1981 and 1996) have made up the bulk of the American workforce. The sheer size of this generational group means that millennials are revolutionizing the way we work. Companies are reshaping to meet their needs and demands, the most prevalent of which is work flexibility: in a survey by American Express, 75 percent of U.S. millennial workers said that the work environment should be “flexible and fluid.”
In this Deloitte survey of millennials, more than half of the respondents said that remote work opportunities boosted productivity, and three quarters said they’d prefer to have more opportunities to work remotely.
It’s obvious that flexibility and remote work are important to this generation, but it’s not enough to simply look at the stats and recognize this need. Employers should understand why millennials prefer this type of work arrangement.
By better understanding the workforce, your startup can make more specific, detailed work arrangements that will not only attract new millennial talent but also help to retain existing employees.
Here are four reasons why millennials deeply value remote work and flexibility:
Millennials want a better work-life balance
Most of the Deloitte survey respondents said that work-life balance was the most important factor they considered (outside of financial benefits) when assessing a job opportunity. Millennials have reshaped the definition of success among their generation. No longer is a burgeoning, lucrative career the hallmark of true achievement.
This age group values true balance: they don’t just want a big paycheck—they also want fulfilling work, efficiency, a family and time to pursue their hobbies. And these aren’t empty demands: millennials want it all and know that they can have it all, with the help of modern technology.
Related: 5 Reasons Why Side Hustles Make Millennials Better Entrepreneurs
Millennials are connected
As this Inc. article explains, the concept of “turning off” work at 5 p.m. (or, “turning it on” at 8 a.m.) is antiquated. Millennials are used to multitasking, thanks to the constant and instant communication provided by the internet. Shooting off a few work emails on a Sunday or texting with their boss in the evening is their status quo.
Most millennials would assert that this constant availability doesn’t disturb their work-life balance, but rather, that traditional office hours require them to be present at less productive times. For a millennial, it is absurd to limit work hours to an arbitrary, specific time of the day, when you can work from anywhere at any time. It makes far more sense to allow work hours to respond to the ebb and flow of your energy and your personal schedule. The millennial generation is connected, and they want to make the most of that connectivity through remote work.
Millennials want to avoid burnout
Remote work and flexible work options are often conflated with freelancing, but millennials actually prefer the stability of full-time employment. They want to be great employees, and providing them with work flexibility is one way to earn their loyalty.
There is a common misconception that millennials are disloyal to their companies. The idea that this generation is constantly on the hunt for a better-paying position or an easier job is not only unfair, but patently untrue. This generation’s interest in creating a functional, happy work environment is actually a symptom of their loyalty. Millennials want to create a positive work scenario where they can thrive and remain loyal to their employer.
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Millennials understand that remote work is practical
The desire for remote work options is not just a self-interested one. Millennials know that offering flexibility and remote work options is a positive move for the company, too. It’s not as if this generation is asking employers to make a huge sacrifice and put a damaging work practice into place. It’s repeatedly been shown that work flexibility not only increases employee satisfaction, but it also increases productivity. It’s a win-win, and millennial workers recognize that.
Let employee desires drive your hiring
For your startup to remain relevant, it needs to continue onboarding excellent talent. Since most of the available talent is from the millennial generation, it is highly likely the next employee you’ll want to hire will be from this generation. Creating a positive work environment that responds to millennial desires will ensure that your business becomes a coveted place to work and hires only the best.
