Millennials: Organizations Should Make A Difference

Millennials want to work for employers who contribute to society

Wondering what Millennials want out of an employer? They want to work for employers who foster innovative thinking, give them an opportunity to develop their skills, and make a positive contribution to society according to a 2014 survey by Deloitte.

For the third annual Millennial Survey, Deloitte surveyed 7,800 Millennials from 28 countries across Western Europe, North America, Latin America, BRICS and Asia-Pacific. The questionnaire focused on four areas including: the role business plays in society, the responsibility of business and government and how well each is dealing with the challenges faced by society, the potential impact of technology and innovation, and how well businesses foster new ideas and develop employees’ leadership skills.

Results of the survey indicated that businesses face many challenges if they want to meet the expectations of the Millennial generation. Some of the findings include:

Most respondents think that while business is having a positive effect on society with job creation (48 percent) and increasing prosperity (48 percent), they also believe that business can do much more in areas that concern them including: resource scarcity, climate change, and income equality. Also, half of the Millennials surveyed say they want to work for organizations with ethical practices.

Millennials want to work for business that foster innovative thinking. An overwhelming 78 percent of respondents say they are influenced by how innovative a company is when evaluating potential employers despite the fact that most also said that their current employer does not encourage them to think creatively. Respondents noted the three biggest barriers to innovation in business are: the attitude of management (63 percent); operational structures and procedures (61 percent); and employee skills, attitudes and a lack of diversity (39 percent).

Survey respondents also say they want to make a difference in society. Millennials think that the success of a business should be measured by more than economic terms; they believe that businesses should focus on non-financial goals like improving society. Millennials are eager to give back with over half reporting that they make charitable donations (63 percent), many saying they actively volunteer (43 percent), and others responding that they are members of a community organization (52 percent).

To read the full Millennial Survey 2014 visit Deloitte.