Boomers Pave the Way for Gen X
The trend for employees these days is finding job satisfaction, and this trend is going to continue.
The baby boomers are reaching an age where they are evaluating their lives and searching for fulfillment.
The Gen Xers that have entered and are about to enter the workforce are already on the same search. What does
this mean to employers? How can employers direct a culture that will retain these workers?
The
boomers,
born
between
1945
and
1965,
are
in
the
later
stages
of
their
careers
or
retiring.
The
Gen
Xers,
born
between
1965
and
1985,
are
the
ones
coming
in
to
take
their
place.
Both
these
groups
are
looking
at
their
careers
as
a
way
to
bring
meaning
to
their
lives.
The
work
matters,
says
Belssing
White's
Employee
Engagement
Report
2005,
which
indicates
that
the
number
one
reason
workers
are
staying
with
a
company
is
because
of
the
work
itself.
The
work
must
have
meaning
for
them.
According
to
Futurist
and
Demographer
Kenneth
W.
Gronbach,
there
is
a
full
11
percent
less
of
the
Gen
Xers.
For
every
10
jobs
the
Boomers
leave
behind,
there
will
only
be
nine
Gen
Xers
to
fill
them,
says
Gronbach
in
his
book,
Common
Census.
In
addition,
the
Gen
Xers
can
claim
a
50
percent
college
graduation
rate,
compared
to
the
25
percent
of
the
Boomers.
What
impact
does
this
have
for
employers?
Employers are facing a generation that is educated and life-savvy enough to search out work that is meaningful to them, and be in such demand as to
essentially become free agents. Employers that don't recognize this will see their workforce walking out the door; management included.
Employers need to foster an environment that focuses on the individuals. They need to pay close attention to matching workers passions, skills, and talent
with the right position. Managers need training in life skills to provide an environment that is innovative, creative, and encourages communication. In return,
the Gen Xers will bring dedication and excitement into the workplace.
By training present management to welcome the next generation of workers, they are more likely to stay.
The training can also create a strong environment that will engage
and keep the Gen Xers to fill the positions left open by the parting Boomers.
Resources
Common
Census
by
Kenneth
W.
Gronbach:
http://www.kgcdirect.com/txt/new.html
Blessing
White’s
Employee
Engagement
Report
2005:
http://www.blessingwhite.com/content/reports/eesr2005.pdf
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