Those who belong to Generation Y–teens and twenty-somethings–are tech-savvy and obsessed with social networking. This is challenging the way human resources departments operate.
A post on Venture Beat recently highlighted this shift. Millennials, who are set to make up 75 percent of the workforce by 2025, are reporting increasing preference for and reliance on social networking sites as a means to communicate with their coworkers and superiors at work. According to a 2011 survey by Cisco, 7 in 10 Facebook users have friended a coworker or superior, and 68 percent of Twitter users follow a coworker or superior.
While Millennials are using social media to connect professionally, they’re also placing more importance on these platforms when it comes to their daily lives overall. Cisco’s survey found Gen Y prizes freedom, flexibility, and technology choice above all else, and one in three college students and young employees believes the Internet is as important as air, water, food, and shelter.
So, are HR deptarments adjusting to the needs of these workers? Younger employees are clear about the fact that they want to use their social applications at work, but according to a 2011 survey by Robert Half Technology, 54 percent said their firms don’t allow employees to visit social networking sites for any reason at work, and nine percent allow access for business purposes only. In addition, Spenglerfox’s Generation Y Survey found almost 50 percent of HR directors are relying on outdated methods to recruit young talent, including using the company website or newspaper advertisements.
Check out more statistics and find out how progressive HR departments are adapting in the infographic below, or read more on Venture Beat here.
How can HR directors ensure they’re understanding and adjusting to the needs of Gen Y? Share your thoughts in a comment below!
