Millennials Ignore IT Use Policies

Forty-five percent of Millennials worldwide say they use social networking Web sites at work, regardless of whether their organization or company prohibits their use, according to a new survey by Accenture.

The report, which is based on a survey 5,595 employees and students ages 14 to 27 in 13 countries, including the United States, found that Millennials routinely bypass corporate approval when using devices and applications. For example, only 34 percent of Millennials globally said they were aware of their company's IT policy. Furthermore, 45 percent said they access social media at work, whether prohibited or not, and nearly one-half access online collaborative tools and open source technologies from free public Web sites when those technologies are not available at work or when versions offered at work do not meet expectations.

The survey also found that communication is shifting away from e-mail towards instant alternatives. While older Millennials (ages 23-27) still spend an average of 6.8 hours per week writing or receiving work-related e-mails, younger Millennials already in the workforce spend just 4.2 hours per week on e-mail and more time on text messaging via mobile phone (3 hours) or instant messaging (3.2 hours).

Millennials in the United States also noted that state-of-the-art equipment and technology will be essential when choosing an employer. More than 52 percent of U.S. Millennials agreed or strongly agreed that technology would be a key factor in their employment decision, while 45 percent partly agreed and 13 percent disagreed or strongly disagreed.

The report advises organizations and chief information officers to listen to and learn from the Millennial generation and adapt IT policies to deal with generational diversity. The report also urges organizations to use social networking, in part to recruit and engage the younger generation, and to bridge the generation gap by opening up more opportunities for senior employees and Millennials to work together.

"Millennials are a resource to be tapped, not a problem to be solved," the report states. "They will not easily adapt to Baby Boomers' habits. But they do want to be involved in shaping their employer's success."