How to attract and retain workers from different generations

1. Toby Iloba
MGT 522 – Human Resources Seminar
Jacksonville State University
Hill Mayfield

2.  Characteristics of Gen-Xers
 Characteristics of Millennials
 How to attract and retain employees
 Impacts of not having reward systems
 Characteristics of employment
 Engaging and retaining all generations

3. • Born between 1960 and 1980
• Often children of divorce and
non-traditional family units
• Latchkey kids
• Raised on electronic media
• Use of newest technology is
a given
• Function well alone

4. • Tend to be pessimistic and
skeptical of authority and
institutions
• Have short attention spans
• “Work to Live” - GUPPIES

5. • Sometimes younger siblings of Gen-Xers
• Benefitted from parents’ later life success
• Often have at least one immigrant parent
• Are racially and ethnically diverse
• Identify with parents’
values

6. • Gravitate toward
group activities
• Believe it’s cool to be
smart
• New technology is a
given
• Short attention spans

7. • Money/Financial rewards
• Rewarding performance: group vs individual
• Facilitating the mentoring and career
development
• Job Enrichment
• Job Empowerment

8.  Lack of motivation
 Increase in long term cost such as training
and recruiting
 Loss in veteran work force
 Turnover rate and impact to brand image
 Decline in organizational culture

9.  Millennial workers are characterized by
◦ Technology skills
◦ Expectation of diversity
◦ Expectation of rapid results
◦ Flexible schedules
◦ Want balance of work and home life
◦ Need for independence in decision making
◦ Desire for challenge and growth
◦ Expect immediate feedback

10.  Generation X workers are characterized by
◦ Technology skills
◦ Entrepreneurial spirit
◦ Mobility and flexibility at work
◦ Focus on personal professional growth over
employer interests
◦ Perceived lack of loyalty

11.  Generation X workers are characterized by
◦ Want balance of work and home life
◦ Need immediate feedback
◦ Will balance end result with desire for quick
resolution

12. • Articulate all desired
outcomes
• Establish clear expectations;
communicate them early and
often
• Maintain technological
sophistication
• Offer opportunities for
personal involvement
From Generation Next Come to
College: 2006 Updates and Emerging
Issues by Mark L. Taylor

13. • Design “real world”
assignments
• End the “sage on the stage”
approach
• Provide transparency and
clear communication
• Address multiple learning
options
• Use meaningful assessments:
require demonstration rather
than the ability to memorize

14.  Key learning

15.  Carlson, Scott. “The Net Generation Goes to
College.”
 Epstein, Molly. (2007).
 Mouchayleh, Terry Stewart. (2009). “The More
Things Change, The More They Stay the Same:
Working With Generational Issues in our
Students.”
 ---. (2007). “Generational Differences Among
Higher Education Faculty.”
 Taylor, Mark L. (2006). “Generation Next Come
to College: 2006 Updates and Emerging
Issues.”