The War for Talent is fierce, and brands of varying sizes find themselves fighting on multiple fronts to remain relevant with the youngest generation of employees.
Millennials are less tied to their employer than previous generations. One Gallup study found that only half of employees born between 1980 and 1996 strongly agree with the statement “I plan to be working at my company one year from now.” That suggests that half of millennials in the workforce are less than committed to their current employer.
Employees no longer expect to remain with one company for their entire career, nor do they want to. The promise of stability offered by blue chip corporations isn’t worth as much as it once was, especially not when compared to the perceived advantages offered by startups, well-funded tech giants and even freelance work.
To attract and retain the most in-demand workers, companies are expanding their arsenal and arming themselves with a host of unconventional perks and benefits, many of which are modelled on the very particular kind of modern worker utopia that’s identified with Silicon Valley. It’s a land where every day is casual Friday, and happy hour starts at whenever. A land of open floor plan offices where employees’ dogs roam free. Of game rooms and gourmet cafeterias, nap pods and unlimited vacation policies.
Young, tech-focused companies routinely occupy the top spots on best places to work lists, so it makes sense that all companies would want to develop their own versions of this workplace culture and put a unique stamp on their own office. But imitation is dangerous. Ask any middle-aged man who’s ever squeezed himself into a pair of skinny jeans.
Organizations working outside of Silicon Valley’s tech community have to undertake more than a superficial makeover. According to Glassdoor’s 2015 Employment Confidence Survey,…