According to Pew Research, anyone born between 1981 and 1996 (ages 23 to 38 in 2019) is considered a Millennial. There are far too many stories of how spoilt millennials are or that they are lazy, self-entitled and lacked resilience. Perhaps, there is some truth to an extent but could the same not be said for the others of other age groups?
One particular news, recently, talked about how millennials are not ‘hungry’ for the job. Reading in detail of what has entailed the article to be written in such a manner, it got me thinking — is it alright for the boss to have expectations of the staff, and staff should achieve these expectations without asking for fair payment, for the amount of work put in? What are these expectations?
- To be expected to work overtime regularly
- To be expected to work on weekends
- To be expected that the number of leave days given is X number and that your leave may not always be approved (possibly never) as it is dependable on the company’s calendar, and if anyone is available to take on your tasks while you are away
- To be on standby and work even if you are officially on leave, medical leave too
- To be expected that there is no further remuneration as it is already parked under your salary (say what..?)
How does this work? 🙄
Let us set some scenarios for clarity on when staff ought to be given further justifiable remuneration.
Scenario A: Liam works hard to see to the completion of necessary tasks during office hours. Boss expects Liam to work overtime as he has been efficient therefore he has the bandwidth to do more. His salary remains the same while the responsibility has increased. Liam speaks with the boss but was told “it’s part of the job” and that he should be glad that he has more on the plate as it means the company values him. (How many times have we heard this one before?) Liam was also tasked to do work given near the end of the day, which then causes him to work overtime/weekends — frequently. Because remember? The company values him hence Liam ought to appreciate the chances that the company is giving him. (yea right, big fat deal) I smell bs.
Remuneration: Yes, increased responsibility
Scenario B: Antoine requires more time than usual to complete his tasks and thus put in extra hours to see to the completion of necessary tasks for the day. His salary remains the same, responsibility remains the same.
Remuneration: No, overtime — yes, because well duh, you didn’t finish the work required for the day.
Scenario C: Athena works hard to see to the completion of necessary tasks during office hours, occasionally she is tasked with urgent tasks that will require her to put in extra hours (after office hours/weekends) — the operative word here is ‘occasionally’.
Remuneration: No, it is an occasional basis so I think that is fine.
I remembered my first job after graduation, being one to impress my new employer, I sought to be efficient and complete the tasks for the day on time. Having completed the tasks, I was able to leave on time. One day, the boss called me in for a ‘talk’. The boss was unhappy I am leaving on time, even though I shared with him that the tasks were completed. I was told that I should not leave on time and that I should only leave when he leaves. That was one of the red flags and alarm was sounding in my head. This boss is being a j***.
In the above 3 scenarios as described, what would justify the remuneration that is to be given?
The bosses think they are fair, are they?
Do the bosses have this mentality that, just because they give a paycheck, means they can add on tasks as and when they like, and expect the staff to work without being compensated for these extras? Are workers supposed to be charity houses?
Expecting the staff to work on weekends is taking away their personal time to unwind and recharge (to be prepared for the new week) and not expecting to give them remuneration for these extra hours is not justifiable.
Therefore, for potential employees (millennials) who are ‘aware’ and hence choose not to accept the unrealistic demands of employers, are not tantamount to being ‘not hungry’ for the job. They are simply aware and disallowing employers to take advantage of them.
At the end of the day, this is a give-and-take situation. Bosses who expect employees to give more but refuse to give fair remuneration, ought to also expect that the employee will not stay long in the company. Nobody likes to be taken advantage of. And, being hungry for the job does not equate to settling for a job. An employer who does not have the employee’s interest at heart should not demand the employee to have the company’s interest at heart. Nobody likes to be taken for a fool. This should be mutual.
For the millennials, they just know what they want and they dare to voice it out, unlike the gen z who worries about job security and thus, more willing to be bullied than to speak up.
Especially in this trying time, who is not hungry for a job? If speaking up for my rights is wrong, firstly, are my requests unreasonable? This is not a marketplace whereby you can go up to the vegetable seller and ask for free parsley after haggling for a discount on a $1 worth of beansprouts.
