You need more than gimmicks to attract and retain millennials

According to a study from the World Economic Forum, millennials
are seeking ‘a sense of purpose’ in the job
they choose. This requirement ranks second only to salary.  Millennials want to work in an environment that inspires and motivates them, and being a part of digital savvy generation, they can balk at the mundane realities of paperwork when what they really want to do is make a difference in the world.

This “everything now” culture, where almost anything they want
is available at the touch of a button is putting pressure on employers, who are
expected to deliver a digital environment that meet their needs.

Many organisations have introduced cloud-based productivity
and collaboration apps.  The same digital
touch points need to be available throughout the business.

A digital mind set

According to Business Matters, over half of millennials (53%) say they’d rather lose their
sense of smell than forgo accessing their devices – with smartphones, tablets
and wearable technology literally at their fingertips. This kind of technology
is ingrained within almost all aspects of their lives.

It’s not surprising, therefore, that they find it frustrating
when they must wait for requests, such as booking holiday leave, to be
processed – especially when poised to book a last-minute holiday on the
internet.

What makes this more serious is that millennials aren’t
afraid to leave companies where their expectations are not met. According to
Monster.co.uk, 58% of millenials are currently thinking about their next
job opportunity, and 26% are planning to leave in the next six months. And
when replacing an employee can cost up to 300% of their salary, a high
millennial turnover can be costly for businesses.

Building a working
environment from the basics up

So what practical steps should companies take to create the
kind of digital work environment which will not only attract top millennial
employees, but encourage them to stay? Any digital transformation project can
be an intimidating prospect but, just like building a house, you should start
by putting solid foundations in place. They may not be the most visible parts of
the build, but they're integral.

And if you want to improve the employee experience you need
to start with how they manage their time and attendance. Staff should be able to clock-in,
check hours worked and resolve any pay discrepancies quickly and easily using
digital channels. They should also be able to view their annual leave days and
book holidays online without fuss or hassle.

Digital solutions, such as self-service portals, allow
employees to take control of these working arrangements. These tools enable
further efficiencies, freeing up employees to concentrate on their
work.

Putting these systems in place may not seem as glamorous as
some of the more visible gimmicks designed to attract millennials, such as
providing office workers with free food or a table tennis room. But these
systems do a lot more to empower employees, and while they are helping to meet
the heightened expectations of millennials, they are also helping to create
efficiencies that benefit both employees and employers.