Communicating to Millennials in the Workplace and on the Jury
Due to an aging workforce, companies will face tremendous turnover in teams and management in the next few decades. This session at WCI’s 2017 Workers’ Compensation Educational Conference highlighted employment programs, retention tools, leadership development and unique litigation claim strategies that resonate with younger demographics.
The panel included:
- Mark Siciliano, Vice President & Managing Director, Helmsman Management Services (moderator)
- Teresa V. Elkins, Risk Manager, Arlington County Virginia
- Victoria Luna, Attorney, Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker, LLP
In the Workforce
Twenty-four percent of the U.S. labor force is poised to retire in the next 10 years. Fifty percent of the U.S. workforce is over 45-years old. Over the next few decades, companies will face tremendous turnover in teams and management. The evolving physical workplace and different attitudes among younger employees will cause substantial changes.
The Millennial generation brings certain characteristics to the workplace:
- They desire work/life balance. Working from home, for instance, is a major draw. They very much believe they do not have to physically be in the office to be working. An e-mail or phone call can be returned from anywhere.
- They are excellent multi-taskers. This generation grew up leveraging cutting-edge technology. They are innovative and it is important to keep them challenged.
- They have an increased trust for companies that support social causes and value philanthropy.
- They are interested in exposure to different jobs and aspects of the business. Job shadowing and leadership development are great ways to show them the opportunities available.
- Feedback and positive reinforcement is very important to them. Take the time to reward and recognize as often as possible.
So what does this mean? One size does not fit all. We are a melting pot of generations in the workforce. The Millennial workforce is paving the way, so companies must make an investment in the them and adapt.
On the Jury
More and more Millennials will be showing up on juries. It is important to recognize that generally they obtain characteristics like anti-corporate bias, they are interested in social justice, they have short attention spans, are liberal, inclusive, diverse, well-educated and optimistic.
Voir Dire is the process of jury selection. During questioning, find the leaders, get them talking, be transparent and open, and show them respect to gain respect back.
Beware of the “Reptile Theory” – the idea that the plaintiff is appealing to our survival instinct. The plaintiff creates a ‘safety rule’ to act as the new liability standard and tells the jurors they can protect the public by punishing the defendant for violating the ‘safety rule’. This appeals to Millennial’s sense of social justice. This starts in voir dire for the jurors – but in reality, it is the plaintiff’s theme from the start of the case.
How do you make your point to a Millennial? Believing is seeing so use technology to make your point. In addition, attention spans are short, so it is important to break up lengthy testimonies and bullet point important trial themes. Use experts who are credible, but also who will make their points in a concise manner.