The number six myth about Generation Y is that they want to be left alone at work.

They do not want to be left alone. You show me a Gen Yer who wants to be left alone at work and I'll show you somebody who is hiding out.

If they care about the job, if they care about the work, Gen Yers want managers who know exactly who they are, know exactly what they're doing, and are in a position to help them.

Remember, nobody has ever left them alone. This is the great over supervised generation. They are used to getting guidance and direction and support.

Most Gen Yers look at their immediate boss and they think one of two things: They either think, "Ha! You're in charge of me?" Or they think, "Wow, good thing you're in charge of me." The question is which one are you?

They want managers who know exactly who they are, know exactly what they're doing, and are in a position to help them. That tells them they're important and their work is important, and it gives them nowhere to hide.

BONUS MANAGEMENT TIP - HOW TO MANAGE GENERATION Y
NEGOTIATE SPECIAL REWARDS IN VERY SMALL INCREMENTS
The critical element when it comes to rewarding Gen Yers is letting them know that rewards are tied to concrete actions within their own direct control. This might remind you of the old-fashioned pay scheme called piecework in which individuals are paid an agreed-on amount for each defined unit of work they produce. The seamstress might be paid per stitch or per finished garment. The accountant might be paid per tax return prepared. The computer programmer might be paid per line of new code written. And so on. The key to your success will be defining those measurable pieces of work and setting a price per piece.