Millennials display a much weaker connection to institutions than their forebears put much of their trust and lives into.

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Millennials are more likely to describe themselves as politically independent, for instance, and feel less attached to established political parties, government institutions, and large corporations.

A recent survey by Gallup shows the implications of the anti-institution worldview that is common among millennials.

The main consequence is that young workers are significantly less likely to stay at a job for many years. Unlike the generation of their parents and grandparents, few millennials expect to remain with one employer throughout their entire career.

Indeed, 60 percent of millennials describe themselves as open to new job opportunities outside of their current workplace and 21 percent have changed jobs in the past year. In comparison, only 45 percent of workers of all other ages say they would consider changing jobs.

The same study suggested that millennials are a tad less enthusiastic about their work life. Only 29 percent of workers in that generation were found to be “engaged” at the workplace, although that is only slightly lower than the 32 percent of Gen Xers and 33 percent of baby boomers.

It is difficult, however, to assess whether the apparent difference in employer loyalty between the generations is due to a fundamentally different view on work or simply the fact that older workers are more established in their careers. A large percentage of millennials are just entering the job market as interns or entry-level employees.

However, the Gallup study also reveals potential solutions for improving engagement among young employees — and likely all employees. Millennial workers who reported meeting with a manager once a week were far more likely to be deemed engaged (44 percent vs. 20 percent).

In addition, past polls have shown that millennials are far more inclined to stay with a company that articulates a mission that they believe in. Again, it is difficult to know how much of the youngest generation of workers’ apparent altruism will change as they grow older and begin supporting families.

Instant Insights /

Millennials less committed to employers, among other things

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