Summary
Two of Pure Storage’s millennial employees share their perspectives about why they love Pure and why they believe it’s a great place to work.
Pure Storage has been recognized as a Fortune Best Workplace for Millennials for 2024, underscoring our commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive workplace for the next generation of tech professionals. This prestigious award recognizes companies that excel in creating a positive work environment for millennial employees, offering opportunities for growth, development, and a healthy work-life balance.
No matter your generation, there is a job for you at Pure Storage.
The award is determined through rigorous criteria and an evaluation process that includes a comprehensive survey of employees, focusing on factors such as trust, respect, fairness, and camaraderie. Companies are also assessed on their ability to offer innovative benefits, professional development opportunities, and a culture that supports diversity and inclusion.
Jacob Yothment, Publishing Manager of the Pure Storage blog, and Reese Geronimo, Employee Engagement Creative Lead, share their experiences at Pure Storage.
What Are Millennials Looking for in a Great Place to Work?
Millennials are a significant portion of the global workforce, and they prioritize several key factors when choosing and staying with an employer: work-life balance, meaningful work, a commitment to diversity and inclusion, and opportunities for personal and professional development.
Work-life Balance
Burnout is an epidemic. According to a report from the American Psychology Association, three out of five employees experience burnout at work. Burnout can lead to not only a lack of drive and motivation but also physical fatigue. As a result, many employers work to create a company culture that keeps its employees fresh and motivated. According to a Gallup poll, a positive company culture makes employees 62% less likely to experience burnout and 43% less likely to look for a new job.
“One of my favorite things I’ve heard while working here is ‘There is no such thing as a marketing emergency,’” Jacob said. “We are a global company and highly collaborative, but at the same time, we are respectful of each other’s time zones. If it’s past 5 pm my time, colleagues are understanding until I’m back online.”
Still, stress happens, which is why it’s important for employees to be able to unwind and recharge. At Pure Storage, employee benefits include access to Lyra, an online mental health coaching and therapy program, and flexible paid time off (PTO).
Flexibility is also paramount. In a study by Bentley University, 77% of millennials cited workplace flexibility as a factor when choosing where to work. This includes flexibility in their work hours and schedule.
“Sure, there are meetings and deadlines I have to keep in mind, you know, the usual work stuff,” Reese explained. “I’ve got my tasks lined up and I know when they’re due. As long as I deliver everything to Pure’s high standards and on time, I have the flexibility to choose where and when I work. Personally, I enjoy starting early in a quiet environment at home. Having this hybrid setup lets me have that calm space, and I head into the office for important meetings and team catch-ups.” Reese went on to explain that while she does appreciate the hybrid work setting, she sometimes prefers going into the office.
“I actually like coming into the office at our Santa Clara headquarters; it’s a really nice space,” Reese said. “If I’m not here with colleagues from all around the world and awesome snacks, I’m at home in my studio apartment feeling cramped. Also, the free gym next door to the Santa Clara office allows me to have a nice work-life balance.”
Reese joined Pure Storage about a year and a half ago. Having come from Australia, Reese didn’t bring a vehicle with her, but that hasn’t been an issue because of another amenity Pure Storage provides.
“Thankfully, Pure offers a shuttle bus which is so important to people like me,” Reese said. “Having something like that is invaluable. When I arrive in the morning, I feel good, refreshed, and ready.”
Walking the DEI Walk
Another critical factor for millennials is a company’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). According to a Deloitte survey, 77% of millennials stated that a company’s commitment to social and environmental responsibilities influences their decision to work there. These values reflect a broader trend among millennials to seek purpose-driven work and align their careers with their personal values and beliefs.
“The reality is that the tech space is very male-dominated,” Jacob said. “Having said that, I was glad to see Pure break the mold. My boss is female, her boss is female, and her boss is female. I don’t want to work for a company that isn’t offering all people the chance to be part of the team, and our diverse workspace proves that, at Pure, that’s not an issue.”
Pure Storage celebrates our eight employee resource groups at the grand opening of our headquarters.
Reese also expressed her appreciation of Pure’s diversity efforts.
“Pure really values diverse opinions because they contribute to creating a distinctive product from a diverse team,” Reese explained. “With so many people from various cultures and backgrounds our work truly benefits. I wake up every morning looking forward to coming in, which isn’t something many corporate Americans can say.”
Making a Difference to the Community—and the Planet
Speaking of social responsibility, the Pure Good Foundation was started by a small group of Pure Storage employees who wanted to make a difference in their communities. The Pure Good Foundation focuses on philanthropic, environmental, and workplace development endeavors and is run entirely by volunteers from Pure Storage.
“I find it really impressive that we have opportunities to volunteer and make a difference locally and globally, with the added benefit of paid time off to volunteer. It’s great that our company also matches our contributions to nonprofits,” Reese noted.
“We have so many companies trying to tell us not to worry about the harm that’s being done to the planet,” Jacob said. “When you’re debating whether or not to start a family and what their future looks like, the health of our planet is a chief concern. It’s a breath of fresh air to work for a company that’s leading the way with efficiency in our industry.”
A major sneaker-head, when Jacob first joined Team Orange, he celebrated by purchasing an orange pair of Jordans.
Room for (and Emphasis on) Growth
According to LinkedIn’s Workforce Learning Report, 94% of employees stated they would stay at a company longer if it invested in their career development. Employers investing in employees’ development through training programs, mentorship opportunities, and clear career progression paths signals to millennials they’ll be a part of a dynamic and supportive workplace where they can grow and evolve. This presents a mutual benefit for both, and according to Pure Storage VP of Talent and Diversity Jason A. Riley “is where the magic happens.”
“One of the main reasons why I left one of my last employers was because there was no room for growth,” Jacob explained. “When I started at Pure Storage, my trajectory was explained to me, and I could see that I would get back from the company what I put into it. During my time at Pure, I have been given opportunities and acknowledged for my hard work.”
Meaningful, inspiring work helps, too. “At Pure, creativity is a core value, which resonates deeply with me as a Creative Lead. It’s empowering to know that I can thrive creatively in a tech environment,” Reese reflected. “Take for example Career Week and The Leadership Academy, two very powerful initiatives for employees to grow both professionally and personally. Pure initiatives such as Career Week and Leadership Academy are powerful drivers of professional and personal growth for employees for delivering strategically creative and visually impactful projects in the tech industry. Being part of such innovative energy is truly motivating.”
Reese, donning her tiger slippers, believes that working together and having diverse perspectives leads to better outcomes.
Being named a Fortune Best Workplace for Millennials is truly a testament to our dedication to nurturing talent and creating a workplace where millennials can thrive.
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