How to Manage those Pesky Job-Hopping Millennials

June 18, 2014 | Staffing Blog

Companies often turn to a staffing agency to help them through busy seasons or assist with a large project. They might use a staffing agency to fill a role while a worker is on maternity or sick leave. And quite often those short-term jobs lead to long-term, permanent positions.

If you worked with a committed staffing company then you received a quality worker who has the skills to join your business for the long haul. At Allegiance Staffing, we’re delighted when one of our employees is hired on full time. 

But even the best employee may not be committed to your company for more than four years. Don’t worry: it’s not you, it’s them. As this article from Forbes.com points out, 91% of millennials (born 1977-1997) expect to stay in a job for less than three years. 

For this generation, job hopping is normal. Whereas baby boomers were loyal to one or two companies over the course of their working lives, millennials may end up working at more than 15 jobs before they hit retirement. 

This new normal can make HR folks cringe as they think about the time invested in hiring and training millennials only to have them head out the door in two or three years. So what’s a hiring manager to do? 

Working with a staffing agency is a great way to “try before you buy.” If you have a group of millennials working temporary jobs with your company, take time to evaluate their work habits, performance and attitudes on the job. If they truly are trained, qualified and a good fit for your company, go ahead and make the hire. You’d be better off to get the most of their work for three years than to shuffle from one unskilled worker to another. 

As the article from Forbes.com notes, companies can also take some steps to create a workplace that’s attractive to millennials. This generation is focused on job satisfaction and from that comes a desire for workplace flexibility. If possible, allow employees the opportunity to work from home when needed or allow them to set more flexible work hours to accommodate family schedules. An employee who works from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. can be just as productive as the employee who works 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Millennials want to connect with their company so give them the opportunity to bond with your mission. And allow them the chance to offer feedback and be part of the creative process. The more engaged they are with the company, the more likely they are to stick around longer.

Don’t shy away from hiring someone from a younger generation, instead, embrace the new ideas and changes they can bring to your company as a positive workplace evolution.