The Trophy Kids Grow Up: How the Millennial Generation is Shaking Up the Workplace

8.4. EXPRESS YOURSELF

In their quest for workplace balance, millennials also seek freedom to express themselves personally. They want more than casual Fridays. They want casual everyday.

But millennials are clashing with some tradition-bound companies over their wardrobes, tattoos, body piercings, and rainbow-hued hair. Some managers cringe when they see young employees sashay into the office wearing torn jeans and flip-flops and sporting tattoos on their arms and piercings on their face. One young woman at an investment bank told me she'd be willing to pay $20 a day for the chance to wear jeans to work. But so far, no one has taken her up on her offer.

Some employers may have no choice but to become more tolerant. According to a survey by the ...