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Social media is to blame for Millennials ‘lazy work ethic’, claims Aussie CEO

Feb 25, 2019

Muffin Break boss Natalie Brennan said Millennials don't want to take on unpaid work and internships to gain experience. Source: Getty

There’s no denying the fact that social media has changed the game when it comes to employment, with an increasing number of young workers setting up businesses remotely, or earning a living through promoting products as an ‘influencer’.

But one Australian CEO has slammed the work ethic of Millennial employees, claiming that the desire to earn a living through posting photos on social media sites such as Instagram has given young workers an “inflated view of their self-importance”.

In an interview with News.com.au, Muffin Break general manager Natalie Brennan slammed Millennials, claiming they no longer see the value in gaining work experience through an internship, blaming s ocial media for their severe lack of passion.

Discussing the current work environment, the general manager said she barely ever has young university students and graduates knocking on her door looking to gain experience through internships and unpaid work with only one person approaching her in the last six or so years.

Brennan told the publication every single person who has in the past taken on an internship with her has ended up with a job but Millennials are just not willing to take that step.

“I think everybody thinks social media is going to get them ahead somewhere,” she explained. “There’s definitely that inflated view of their self-importance because they have X amount of Instagram followers or this many likes. That’s dangerous.”

She also claimed that Millennials can’t even take constructive criticism with most left feeling offended by the comments that are just meant to provide them with opportunities to grow and learn. Brennan explained it’s as if they think someone is ‘unfriending’ them or attacking them.

Not only that, the general manager claimed Millennials are under the belief that they can rise through the ranks at an alarming rate with many expected to be paid much more than what someone of their level usually receives.

“I’m generalising, but it definitely feels like this generation of 20-somethings has to be rewarded even if it’s the most mundane, boring things, they want to be rewarded for doing their job constantly,” Brennan added.

Her comments are a stark difference to those of one Baby Boomer who unlike others of his age, claimed his generation could actually learn a thing or two about life from the youngsters of today.

Writing for Forbes magazine last October, Michael Kay said: “If you’re a Boomer, like me, don’t be afraid to ask this bright, energetic, and creative group how they might attack a problem”.

He added: “Give them a seat at the table, promote their access to experience and decision-making, and share their enthusiasm for finding new ways to make life better. You never know what you might learn.”

Kay went on to say that, while no generation is good or bad, Millennials have overcome massive obstacles such as high levels of student debt and a declining jobs market to create their own career paths, which allow them to have their chosen lifestyle.

He added: “These are big obstacles; hurdles significant in the path to creating alternatives to a ‘mainstream’ career path. So what did this young, bright, energetic, and slightly pissed off group do? They took matters into their own hands.

“They created careers that worked with the lifestyle they valued. They created startup companies, freelance alliances, co-working spaces, and creative pools of talent to uncover problems that need solving.”