RESEARCH undertaken by the newest intake of Godolphin Flying Start trainees has identified four key areas in which young millennials (those born between 1980 and 1994) believe that improvements can be made in working conditions within the thoroughbred industry.

These are improving work-life balance, making workplace culture and morale better, looking at better opportunities for career development, and strengthening the relationship between employers and employees, including the more widespread use of technology as one means of improving communications. Their presentation was technology-rich, lending weight to their suggestion.

The 12-strong team carried out interviews with some 40 people both within and outside the industry, and the contributors represented both employers and employees. The latter group felt that the biggest issues for them were long working hours, not feeling valued and finding difficulty in progressing their careers. They also felt that employers could have more open communication with staff.

A number of employers felt that millennials fell down when it came to work ethic. This was seen by the researchers as the biggest gap between the two groups and one that needs addressing most.

The group made a number of proposals to the audience of industry professionals. These included increasing time off for stud and stable workers to two and a half days a fortnight, giving staff one full weekend a month off, looking at employing students and casual staff to fill the gaps at weekends, and for busy periods to pay overtime for some of the extra hours work, while also giving extra hours off during quiet periods.

The researchers made other practical, no-cost proposals to improve the work environment. Relationship building and giving responsibility, celebrating success, active mentoring of staff, having clear job descriptions and conducting regular appraisals were all seen as useful tools to improve the workplace.