Gen Y employees 'have high technological expectations'

A rapidly evolving digital landscape has led Generation Y employees to have high expectations when it comes to using technology in the workplace.

This is according to Neil Pickering from workforce management specialist Kronos, who wrote in a post for IT Pro Portal that the consumerisation of IT has caused young people to view business apps as crucial to their working lives.

As a result of these technological advances, Gen Y has certain requirements and it is up to employers to meet these in order to recruit the most talented individuals.

Mr Pickering noted new and improved workforce management tools have allowed the younger generation of workers to communicate with their bosses through mobile devices.

He remarked: "These processes enhance productivity, as managers are able to engage their employees 'from the floor' almost instantaneously, with minimal expenditure of admin resource."

Technology also has a major part to play in bringing about the changes required within a business that could help align it with the demands of younger employees.

Company performance can be greatly improved with the ability to, as Mr Pickering suggested, "deploy the best possible resource, in the right place and at the right time".

He stated organisations should cater business apps to Gen Y workers, but also schedule tactics to designate the right employees to tasks they will perform best in, regardless of their age.

This is because certain software can be used to assess each individual's experiences, skills and references and this helps managers to decide which member of staff is suited to a particular aspect of work.

According to Mr Pickering, a main priority for firms is to stimulate Gen Y employees with an innovative environment. He pointed to the fact they have grown up in a fast-paced world where technological enhancements arrive "thick and fast", so it is essential they have access to online tools and resources.

The same goes for organising training for younger workers - and a recent article for the Guardian claimed e-learning platforms are becoming increasingly integral to business success.