"Don't Worry About Others" "Resting Well Is the Best Innovation"... Me Too, Like President Pengsu

[2020 New Year Project - Generational Coexistence, Building Society Together]
<2>Family or Stranger? Two Perspectives on the 'Workplace'

The Workplace Millennials Dream Of
A De-authoritative Culture That Speaks Up Like Pengsoo
Workplace Stress Stems More From People Than Work
Appropriate Rewards Should Follow Performance

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] "Who’s the big boss here? The CEO should be like a friend for the company to do well. Don’t worry about others’ opinions and live as you want."

This is the outburst of 'Pengsoo,' the EBS trainee character adored by the millennial generation. Pengsoo, who came from Antarctica, is a trainee but confident. Comforting the hardships of office workers who cannot speak up, Pengsoo is celebrated as the 'President of Workers.' Transforming into the 'Minister of Health and Welfare for a Day,' Pengsoo shouted to employees, "Go home!" saying, "We must be healthy first for the people to be healthy."

Pengsoo’s words and actions reflect the workplace image millennials desire. The core is interpreted as 'de-authoritativeness.' In fact, the main reason millennials quit jobs is 'people problems.' According to a survey by Saramin, a job matching platform, on 'work and workplace relationships,' 71.8% complained that stress from human relationships is much worse than work-related stress (28.2%). The proportion of those who find workplace relationships difficult reached 62%. Conflicts mainly occurred with seniors (supervisors) (79.1%), nearly four times more than conflicts with juniors (subordinates). The main reason for conflicts with seniors was 'frequent irrational decisions favoring themselves in work assignments, etc. (44%, multiple responses).' Next were reasons such as 'authoritative attitudes that only emphasize their own experience (40.4%).'

Millennials demand appropriate rewards for performance. The opposite is 'passion pay.' Recently, when suspicions arose that Pengsoo was paid hourly wages, 'Peng Club' members flooded requests to "accurately settle payments for hardworking Pengsoo." EBS, which stepped in to manage the situation, had to clarify, "The hourly wage system for Pengsoo is not true."

The conditions millennials cite for a good workplace are 'work-life balance (WLB)' and 'financial compensation.' According to a survey by job portal JobKorea of 507 millennial workers on 'conditions of a good workplace,' 'guaranteed work-life balance (49.9%, multiple responses)' was selected as number one. Second was 'financial satisfaction such as salary and performance bonuses (48.9%).' Following were 'excellent welfare systems (30.6%),' 'horizontal and free working atmosphere (20.3%),' 'job security and stability (12.0%),' and 'potential for corporate and personal growth (10.7%).'