Where are the millennials? They want to stay anonymous at work, seek new ways to engage

In the United States, younger generations experience higher levels of anxiety overall than their older counterparts. But does that extend to the workplace/? Yes, according to a new study by audience engagement platform Mentimeter. The research, which is based on a survey of 2,000 US employees, found that nearly three-quarters of all millennials are anxious about in-person presentations at work. Moreover, a third of millennials say their anxiety over in-person meetings has increased as opposed to the pre-pandemic period. These figures are an average of 20% higher than comparable figures for Gen X workers and baby boomers.

Gen Z workers also reported high anxiety levels. According to the survey data, 39% of Gen Z workers said they felt anxious about engaging audiences in virtual meetings, and 40% say their anxiety over attending in-person meetings has increased since before the pandemic.

Anna Gullstrand, acting CEO of Mentimeter, commented on the findings in a press release, saying, “As leaders consider how to evolve their workplaces in a post-pandemic world, we have a lot to gain by addressing fundamental human needs – such as feeling safe, heard, and important. Embracing new and emerging tools, especially as millennials continue to take on greater leadership roles at organizations, can create a culture that listens to all employees.”

She added, “Our research shows that there’s a lot of uncertainty and anxiety that leaders need to acknowledge and address to be able to engage younger generations. It’s clear that millennials are not alone in anxiety over working in the office, attending meetings, and presenting. This study highlights the need for businesses to develop a workplace culture that works across generations – it suggests that the old mold doesn’t fit anymore.”

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So what can employers do to make sure millennials and Gen Z feel comfortable in the workplace? According to Mentimeter’s study, here is what employers should offer younger workers:

• The option to keep their video feeds off when joining a meeting. Half of all millennials rank this as often or always important for companies to do.
• Ways to make meetings anonymous, such as creating a way for employees to give anonymous feedback.
• Tools to engage in meetings without speaking – like polls, likes, and comments, which are favored by nearly half of millennials.