Generation Y at Work

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seen instances where [young] people progress and they're in over their head." Rather than fighting the generational divide, companies should do their best to embrace--and hold on to--the newest generation of employees. Companies are finally beginning to wake up to the unique needs of the Millennials and have implemented mentoring and coaching programs to help welcome Generation Y into the corporate fold--often doing it on terms that are more meaningful to the way they work and function. We have also found that there are even some “smart� companies [in the United States] that are hiring teams of people--particularly in fast-food companies--to work on the front line, they might hire a team of friends and have them competing against another team of friends. We will have to see how this new trend works out for them. One has to caution that companies in the United States may succumb very easily to faddishness and we would like to caution the more rational companies against this behaviour. John Stockwell, a Johannesburg-based recruitment manager for a large bank, says the bank hires about 150 students each year to work in its various divisions across Africa. He characterizes them as a "tech-savvy" bunch who are keen to make an impact on the organization and who value a "very clear progression track" when it comes to their careers. "I think the most important thing is the feeling of being able to make a contribution, really getting the

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