This report discusses strategies for engaging a multi-generational workforce, highlighting six trends such as the rise of technology use and expectations for work-life balance. It emphasizes diversity as a strength and offers practical advice on communication, employee development, recognition, and engagement. A case study on NASA illustrates successful initiatives to attract and integrate younger generations into the workplace.

1. Engaging a Multi-Generational Workforce: Practical Advice for Government Managers Susan Hannam, Dean, Slippery Rock College Bonni Yordi, Director of Research,MRA February 2011

2. Overview The Four Generations in Workforce Six Trends Affecting Workforce Practical Advice Case Study: NASA Resources “ This report examines six trends now occurring in the workplace and describes how managers can successfully engage all four generations and ‘commit’ to the organization.”

3. The Four Generations in the Workforce “ Diversity in the workforce today will be a challenge to managers but successful integration of the four generations can lead to a stronger organization.” “ The emergence of the digital-savvy Millennials has the potential to change the face of work to be more collaborative, to use virtual teams, to use social media, and to offer more flexible work hours.” Graphic credit: California State University Long Beach

4. Six Trends Affecting the Workforce Increased use of new technologies to communicate Increased expectation for work-life flexibility Increased expectation for continual development Increased need for for new ways to reward and recognize employees Increased need to engage the entire workforce Increased emphasis on innovation “ Meister and Willyerd state that, “Never has a generation entered the workplace using technologies so far ahead of those adopted by their employer.’ This can be a major advantage for a given organization or a problem, depending upon how it is handled.”

5. Some Practical Advice Communication Tips Build awareness that the Four Generations bring different ideas, challenges, and opportunities to the workplace Work-Life Balance Tips Rethink what work is, and where it is done Determine which jobs can have flexible arrangements, such as telework Growth and Development Tips Use mentoring to develop new employees, and reverse mentoring to share tech skills Tips for Providing Recognition and Rewards Offer a “menu” of rewards and recognition Employee Engagement Tips Focus on the disengaged last

6. Communication Tips for the Multi-Gen Workplace Source: Hannam and Yordi report

7. Case Study: NASA NASA Assistant Administrator for Human Capital Management Toni Dawsey launched a pilot to better engage Next Generation employees. This pilot included: Hiring process and leadership training reforms Providing innovative opportunities to new hires Encouraging multiple channels of communication NASA encourages and in some cases mandates mentoring and rotation programs across the agency.

8. Resources “ Engaging a Multi-Generational Workforce: Practical Advice for Government Managers” For free copies of this report, visit the IBM Center for The Business of Government Website www.businessofgovernment.org Report Authors: Susan Hannam, Dean College of Health, Environment, and Science Slippery Rock University 1 Morrow Way, Slippery Rock, PA 16057 [email_address] ; (724) 738-2795 Bonni Yordi, Director Surveys and Business Research MRA – The Management Association N19 W24400 Riverwood Drive Waukesha, WI 53188 [email_address] ; (262) 696-3547 presentation prepared by John Kamensky