Generation Y: a bunch of slacking, self-involved workers?

September 4, 11:15 PMJobs and Careers ExaminerKristina Cowan

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Way too entitled. Super-self-involved. Over-reliant on mom and dad to help them get a job--and succeed at it. You may recognize these as descriptors of Generation Y, or Millenials, the crop of up-and-coming young workers, many in their 20s. But is this an accurate portrayal of our newbie workers? 

A recent Harris Interactive poll found that 53 percent of respondents, including a majority of Gen Y itself, think Millenials are the most self-indulgent of all generations, including the Greatest Generation, the Silent Generation, baby boomers, and Generations X and Y.

Meanwhile, the 2008 World of Work, Randstad's annual look at workplace issues and trends, found Gen Ys to be very aware of their flaws. For example, only 20 percent of Gen Y said co-workers within their own generation have a strong work ethic, respect co-workers, can handle crises, and take direction well. Only 30 percent described their Gen Y counterparts as competent, and both older and younger workers see Gen Y as mostly void of traits desired in co-workers.

It's a grim picture, but there may be hope on the horizon. The same Ranstad report says, "With a few years of work under their belts, Gen Y is developing a newfound appreciation for their jobs and taking work more seriously." So their sense of entitlement and preoccupation with themselves is perhaps being eroded by realities that only the workaday world can deliver, such as:

• Six-figure starting salaries are highly unlikely.
• Though you may have been the center of your parents' universe, the working world probably won't follow suit.
• Advancement is earned over time, after a worker proves competency, skills, integrity and dedication. It won't come overnight, and your boss isn't going to promote you just for showing up on time.

No generation has proven to be a perfect group of workers. It's up to Gen Y to learn from its flaws, and turn them into strengths. In doing so, they'll make a very wise investment in their careers, and our workforce and our country will reap the benefits of their evolution.