At IBM France, there is a small, select club with nearly 500 members. To join, there is only one criterion: age. This network, called “Millennials”, in reference to the generation born in the 1980s and 1990s, is only accessible to employees under 35. “Originally, this group created about fifteen years ago included interns, apprentices and young employees. We knew that every Friday lunchtime in the canteen there would be the youth group and that if we were at the office we could join them for lunch without any formalities.”explains Claudine Queret, who has now become head of diversity, equality and inclusion at the New York company.
In American companies, “affinity” groups (employees who share common interests) have existed for a long time. At Google, one of the first LGBT+ groups was created in the United States in 2003, by employees who wanted to make their voices heard. The group also gleaned a nickname, Gayglers, in reference to that of employees, Googlers, which has since spread, with Jewglers, Greyglers, etc.
At IBM, after Covid-19, a new generation wanted to reactivate the Millennials network. Under the leadership of Pamela Bou Antoun, 28, who holds a master’s degree in commerce from Kedge Business School, the network has been transformed. The young recruit, after two years of work-study, explains: “I wanted to participate in the internal life of the company and we wanted to return to work after the lockdowns.”
His first project: events, such as “B to B”, an afterwork event that takes place once a year in the summer. “We all meet up for a little final word before the holidays. Interns, apprentices, all the young people in the company are welcome.” These informal moments are also designed to allow young people to develop their network. A way of doing politics, but adapted to the expectations of this generation. One of the events that attracts the most? The “coffee croissant”, a breakfast around a director that takes place every two months.
Fresh look
At the energy company Engie, such a network appeared about ten years ago under the impetus of a few young employees. Called “Young Professional Network”, but pronounced in English “YPN”, the group now has 2,500 members, all under 36 and present in some of the countries where the company is established (Brazil, United States, Germany, Chile, United Kingdom, Morocco, Australia, Belgium, etc.). Each year, a new class takes over the reins of the group and adapts the projects – events, afterworks, debates – to their desires.
You have 42.27% of this article left to read. The rest is reserved for subscribers.
Related News :