How Does a Fair Trade Call Center Retain Millennials?

Published by Roma Gonzales on

Not only are millennials challenging to manage as employees, they are also difficult to retain. Only 16% of this generation can see themselves working for the same company ten years from now. In fact, 44% of these digital natives are prepared to leave their posts after two years.

And yet, millennials are fast becoming the majority labor force in the world. Since turnover can cost $6,440 per person, it’s easy to understand why alarm bells are going off among HR professionals.

Despite their reputation of “disengagement and disloyalty” however, retaining Millennials is just a matter of understanding what is important to them and what will make them stick to their jobs. With their adaptability, creativity, and digital skills, they can be valuable assets to the company once they become fully engaged.

Because a fair trade call center tends to be more sensitive to its employees’ needs, it holds the keys to retaining Millennials. Here are six reasons why a more egalitarian and employee-centered organization can retain millennials in this age of digital transformation and impact sourcing.

1) A fair trade call center allows for flexible schedules.

Unlike the Baby Boomers and Generation X, Millennials do not see working in an office on a 9-to-5 schedule essential to producing quality work. They value the process more than the results. They are task-oriented rather than time-bound. That’s because they have a variety of interests and they lead active lifestyles. Research from the University of Warwick show that employees are 12% more productive when they are happy.

A fair trade outsourcing company breaks free from the rigidity of traditional management. It’s not afraid to support employees who pursue their interests, negotiate their schedules, or work with freedom in their task execution as long as target goals are achieved. This matters a lot to Millennials who prize a great life-work balance.

2) A fair trade call center gamifies, and offers training and continuous learning.

A fair trade outsourcing company desires its employees to reach their maximum potential. To encourage millennials to grow will take some time and energy in adapting to their psychology. This generation learned their ABCs and basic mathematics through mobile apps and software, and spent much time playing video games. That explains why gamification or “applying elements of gaming to motivate and engage” is appealing to them. This includes point system, milestones, and contests.

The challenge of leveling up drives and excites them. Millennials crave innovation and learning. When you offer courses for their self-improvement, they see this as a way to enhance themselves and as a step to rise in the career ladder. They would want to stay with a company that helps them grow and advance in their careers.

3) A fair trade call center provides feedback and recognition.

You can say millennials were born, not with a silver spoon in their mouths, but with a computer in one hand and a smartphone or tablet in another. They get the answers to their questions with one click. They get instant replies from contacts halfway across the world.

Contrary to the popular stereotype that millennials are lazy, they, in fact, like to work fast, develop fast, and level up fast — and that’s because of all the gadgets and technology that make them crave instant gratification. Feedback will let them know how they are performing and how they can improve. A fair trade outsourcing company knows this means progress and challenge, which are stimulating to a millennial’s mind.

Forbes believes that constant feedback is important to a millennial’s level of job satisfaction, and it should also be timely, specific, and individual.

4) A fair trade call center uses updated technology.

Sixty-eight percent of HR professionals claim it’s tough to manage millennials. Here’s an insight that could help: 78% of Millennials believe they will be more productive when they are using the technology they prefer. They were born at a time of rapid technological advancement, and are used to speed and multi-tasking. It’s understandable why they’re so technologically savvy.

5) A fair trade call center cares about meaning and values.

Millennials live in what is deemed as the most peaceful time in history. Unlike the earlier generations, they don’t have to deal with the economic and cultural aftershocks of a world war. In this relatively peaceful age, millennials are seeking opportunities to contribute to conservation efforts and make a difference in this world.

Forbes further states that millennials care about the environment, value life experiences more than material wealth, and take corporate social responsibility seriously.

Cone Communications, in addition, found out that 90% of millennials are willing to switch to a more conscientious brand while 62% said they’re fine working with a lesser salary if it’s for a responsible company — and that’s exactly what a fair trade call center is.

6) A fair trade call center nurtures a healthy work environment.

Millennials have grown up witnessing society’s fight for human rights, gender equality, women empowerment, and cultural tolerance. They are sensitive to issues on gender, religion, and race. Many now openly express themselves in ways that older generations would consider as taboo: consider a millennial who identifies as non-binary, or as an atheist.

A fair trade outsourcing company fights for equal treatment of all employees regardless of their background, and advocates for their basic human rights. It is a place where millennials will find themselves respected.

Even non-millennials believe this generation adds value to any company. If they are different from the rest and are difficult to understand, it’s because no other generation has evolved along with such rapid development of technology and has this much access to instant information. Millennials evolved to suit the demands of these changing times. It’s important to remember that employees stay when they find balance between job satisfaction and company environment.