Have you ever wondered why Generation Y thinks it can change all the rules? Look no further than this:

On Friday, YPulse’s meredith reported that an MTV Sticky report on European youth included an exercise in which the researchers asked 100 European teens to “‘challenge, criticize, and collectively re-write the 10 Commandments’ as a way of reflecting generational change.”

Yikes.

I’m a fan of generational change. I think that on the whole we move forward as a society with each generation, and that Generation Y has great things to offer the world. But this particular exercise is not an example of the kind of generational change that can invigorate a team, revolutionize a workplace, or commit to an incredible cause. No, this exercise is a perfect example of the pathetic, self-indulgent bullshit Generation Y was raised on.

Whether you believe in God or not, and wherever you stand on the propriety of displaying the commandments on public property, you have to find this galling. To tell you the truth, I’m surprised that this fires me up as much as it does. I haven’t been to church since I was in high school. I enjoy watching South Park, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and other irreverent comedy almost as much I enjoy making fun of people to their faces.  But for whatever reason, when I read this, I could feel my blood pressure spike.

And it didn’t get any better when I read the new 10 Commandments:

1. Have faith in yourself.
2. Respect your parents.
3. Be honest.
4. Take responsibility for your own life.
5. Live life to the fullest and be passionate.
6. Keep your promises.
7. Work hard to succeed but not to the detriment of others.
8. Be tolerant of others’ differences.
9. Be happy and optimistic, even in adversity.
10. Create, don’t destroy.

None of these seem like terrible advice, but do you notice anything missing from that list?

Rule #1 is now: “Have faith in yourself.” The number one priority on this list is Me. Me, me, me. The list doesn’t acknowledge, or even mention in passing, the concept that there is something greater than one’s self - be it a higher moral order, overarching societal utility, or God. But why would it? It’s the result of a group of young people being asked “If you could make your own rules, how would they look?” So, it’s no surprise that the rules are self-serving.

What is surprising is that people feign shock when young people ask why they have to show up on time. As a growing generation, Generation Y was taught that questioning norms was a good and natural thing to do. We were taught time and again the myriad ways in which our ancestors and elders were morally deficient. And as we grew, new technologies were making it possible to question behaviors that had, up to that time, been considered fundamental to the workplace.

It’s too late to change that fact. It’s too late to raise Generation Y again.

But as business owners, managers, and co-workers, we don’t have to accept the notion that everything is open to revision.

• Yes, technology has revolutionized the way we deal with customers. No, customer service will never cease to be important.
• Yes, the measure of a man is his character. No, people will not trust you if you dress like a bum.
• Yes, previous generations have held beliefs about race, religion, and gender. No, that does not mean that murder or adultery will ever be acceptable.
• Yes, I want you to work with me to find reasonable terms of employment. No, the terms on which I employ you are not negotiable once you’ve agreed to them.

Ask yourself which of your company’s rules are negotiable, and which ones aren’t. Be as flexible and accommodating as you can on the flexible ones.

But don’t give an inch on the others.