Millennials saw their parents burn out at thankless, soul-crushing jobs, and they don’t plan on repeating their parents’ mistakes. They are not blindly following rules that make no sense, add no value, or just flat-out violate basic human needs. Here are 13 workplace rules millennials aren’t following anymore, and honestly, they’re not wrong.
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“You must be at your desk from 9 to 5”
Millennials don’t care about “being present” at the office. They care about results. If they can do the job at 7 a.m. or 9 p.m., they see no reason to sit at a desk between those times just to “look busy.”
“You can’t talk about your salary”
This is an outdated rule that only serves the employers’ interests. Millennials are talking to and about each other to close wage gaps and fight unfair pay with more transparency.
“Seniority matters more than skill”
Seniority has nothing to do with quality or even performance. Millennials know just because someone has been around longer doesn’t mean they’re good at their job.
“No tattoos, piercings, or funky hair”
Millennials know appearances don’t affect performance and that people with all sorts of body art, piercings, and non-traditional haircuts are good at their jobs. They’re rejecting employers’ outdated definitions of “professional.”
“You must answer emails after hours”
A business whose leaders abuse “constant availability” is no place to work. Millennials are fiercely protecting their private hours and prioritizing work-life balance and mental health.
“You have to earn your vacation”
Many companies make it awkward or difficult to take time off. Millennials aren’t shy about using their PTO because burnout isn’t a badge of honor.
“Casual Fridays only”
Spend 5 days at work with a bun, no make-up, and scruffy clothes just so you can dress comfortably on Friday? Millennials are done with workplace drama over hair, makeup, and dress codes, and just want to look clean and comfortable all week long.
“Be seen to be valued”
Stay late at the office just to make sure your boss sees you and thinks you’re working hard? Not anymore. Millennials believe work should be judged by output, not hours.
“Leave your personal life at the door”
Mental health challenges, families, and real-life problems are important and need to be treated that way. Millennials expect companies to treat them like human beings rather than robots who don’t have personal lives.
“Climbing the ladder is everything”
Millennials care more about making a difference, not titles. Not every millennial is cut out to be a manager, and that’s perfectly fine.
“No feedback until annual reviews”
Waiting all year for performance feedback feels ridiculous. Millennials want to hear from managers throughout the year, so they can improve and develop, instead of just guessing at how they’re doing.
“Office birthdays and forced fun are required”
Gifts, mandatory group lunches, or office parties won’t make you like working at a place you don’t like. Forced fun and bonding don’t work. Millennials would rather forgo the cupcakes than fake forced smiles and participate in awkward small talk.
“The customer is always right”
Not if they’re being mean, rude, inconsiderate, or just plain wrong. Millennials won’t tolerate it, and rightly so. Employers must back their employees in those situations rather than just turn a blind eye.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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