First, I’m not technically Generation Y. They tend to be defined by having their first game console system be a Nintendo. Mine was an Atari. I’m right between X and Y.
Anyway, it appears that BIGLAW is complaining that they are no longer getting associates willing to give up their lives for the firm:
http://biz.yahoo.com/law/050302/56638ee5cf6eae0ec228a15610e3da6a_1.html
Attorneys from Generation Y – those born in 1978 or later – are plenty smart and generally well educated, say firm leaders and industry experts. But these young attorneys also are lacking in loyalty, initiative and energy, so the criticism goes.
I especially like the closing line:
In addition, the group has a greater degree of cynicism than in generations past, she said, stemming from the dot-com failure and 9/11 terrorist attacks. The result is diminished long-term loyalty to their employers.
“They’re saying, ‘I’ve looked at the world and there’s no such thing as job security,’” she said.
Guess what, kids, there really has never been job security, and while the dotcom failure should’ve told you that, 9/11 has absolutely nothing to do with it. It was in your contract all along.
“Studies indicate that young workers are less willing to put in long hours and instead are more focused on pursuing interests outside work than were their predecessors… ‘[Newer associates] have a very strong connection with each other as opposed to the institution. If someone is treated badly, they all react to it,’ the attorney said.”
So they don’t want to sacrifice their families and mental health for their jobs, nor do they want to screw their friends and coworkers for the benefit of the company. Seem like positive trends to me.
Comment by Kathy — 3/3/2005 @ 7:58 pm