Managing a Multigenerational Workforce
Monash University
Jason Cheah
Introduction
A multigenerational workforce can present many challenges for organizations of today and are fast becoming a prominent issue for Australian HR managers. An ageing workforce and continual technological innovation are the main reasons attributing to the issues associated with a multigenerational workforce. To remain competitive organizations will need to utilize such a workforce to their advantage and this can be achieved through effective human resource development. The differences between generations are known to occur due to major influences in the environment in which early human socialization occurs (Macky, Gardner & Forsyth, 2008). These
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Managing and Retaining Baby Boomers
Organizations need to be wary of losing a wealth of skills and knowledge that older workers possess through poor management (Beaver & Hutchings, 2005). As employees mature they are more likely to experience disengagement with the workplace and career plateauing, which can lead to an increased intention to leave. HR managers will need to work with both the employee and the organization’s goals to eliminate these barriers. There are various options available to organizations faced with the problem of retaining older workers. Providing phased retirement plans, moving older workers to part time work and creating more flexible working conditions can save organizations the costs involved with hiring new employees while maintaining older workers technical knowledge. Additionally it is important for organizations to recognize older workers personal commitments and their need for work life balance (Hutchings & Beaver, 2005). Contrary to the view of a career plateau, Armstrong-Stassen (2008) argues that majority of older workers want to continue learning and developing their skills and also desire a job that is challenging and meaningful. There will also be an increased attractiveness for organizations to hire mature age workers, even if it is on a part time basis, as older workers are readily available sources in terms of expertise that can impact the future success
The current generations in the workplace today are Traditionalists, Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z. Each generation brings their own values and mindsets to the mix. Although genetics play a part in a person’s characteristics, the generation in which someone is born into also plays an integral part in shaping their mind, values, goals, and work ethics. People from the same generation share similar experiences, and this can influence how they think politically and socially.
First and foremost, to understand how the Multigenerational Workforce works, we must know the driving forces behind the current four generations and where they stand today.
Some negative examples of how people in the workforce perceive older adults in the workforce are that older workers produce lower quality work, inflexible, less productive and are resistant to change. Some employers believe older adult workers skills are dated or do not have the required set of competence needed. Giving training and continuing education opportunities as well as companies adapting these courses to those with less experience technically will help with ensuring that older adults continue to feel like a vital part of the business and keep working until they decide to
As you will learn, an inter-generational workforce provides many opportunities and challenges. While generational differences can and do lead to frustration, conflicts and poor morale, they do not have to. This
Most Americans are very opinionated on all topics i.e. religion, politics, sports, etc. It has been made pretty clear that the Baby Boomers think that they are always right compared to what they consider the future generation, Millennials. We are now in the year 2014 and what they used to consider the future generation has become the current generation that is taking over. “By 2025, Millennials will account for three out of every four workers globally (Zent).” As the Millennials start taking over the work force it is important for the Baby Boomers to accept them and show them how to successfully do their jobs without judgment. The other generations look at Millennials and
Over the next decade, it will be a challenge for employers to attract, keep, and develop a skilled work force for numerous different reasons ranging from the evolution of technology to fewer foreign students coming to America for work. Adding to the problem, companies are finding themselves managing four generations of workers. Based on their generation’s life experiences, each group has its own diverse characteristics, standards, and attitudes towards work. The four generations are as follows: Silents (1925-1946), Baby Boomers (1946-1964), Generation Xers (1965-1980), Generation Ys or Millennials (born after 1980). It is up to management to relate and motivate employees of different age groups. The purpose of this paper is to inform readers
“Baby Boomers ranked the highest when it comes to being a productive part of their organizations (69% of respondents agree), "hardworking" (73% of respondents agree), a "team player" (56% of respondents agree), and mentoring others (55%)” (Giang, 2013). In view of the aforementioned citation, it delivers a perspicacious frame of reference into the purpose of this case assignment. A case assignment that will be evaluating the aging workforce from a human resource (HR) mindset. Along with a deliberation, of the increased worthiness baby boomers provide a company. When said, company is acquiring contemporary employees with unique skills. In their efforts, for compensating for the impending loss, they will have to endure upon the departure
The multigenerational could affect its operation depending on how I will manage each generation I have to keep in mind that each generation have a unique different way to communicate. Like mention in the book, I have to be cultural competence, “set of congruent behaviors, attitudes, and policies that comes together in a system, [in an] agency, or among professionals, and enable that system, [that] agency, or those professionals to work effectively in cross-cultural situations” (Pg.
Generations in the Workplace Informative Outline Introduction 1. Have you ever noticed your co-workers age groups? a. You will notice each age group has different characteristics. 2. This is because you work with different generations at work.
To take a case in point, when discussing diversity in the workplace the main topics discussed are culture, gender, and race. Consequently, the topic of generational diversity in the workplace mostly becomes a forgotten type of diversity to discuss. During the course of LMM328-17: Diversity and Intergenerational Effectiveness, Ms. Sams construes that generational diversity does not focus solely on how each of the four generations’ (Traditionalist, Baby Boomers, Generation X, and the Millennials) diverse experiences and characteristics influences the manner of how generations apply themselves in the workplace.
As the globalization of work continues and the generational age groups change, the focus on understanding and “leveraging” the skill differences between the groups is becoming more and more critical to the success of a business. Organizations must continue to motivate and engage this multi-generational workforce for the best performances.
Unfortunately, the majority of today’s human resource managers assume that the most desirable and inexpensive employees are younger applicants. However, mature employees are a valuable and often disregarded asset for increased productivity for organisations’ all over Australia (Silberman, 2010). Mature workers can incorporate a wide variety of talent, knowledge and skills. Additionally, the built up knowledge of older workers can be used in the workplace for mentoring programs that can reduce staff turnover, train employees and increase staff morale. Throughout this presentation, I will be analysing;
The Society for Human Resource Management article discusses the challenge many companies face of finding qualified workers and the importance of engaging and retaining mature workers to help meet that challenge. A recent Gallup poll found that Traditionalists and Baby Boomers are actually more engaged while at work than their younger counter-parts Gen x and Gen Y (Gallup, 2013). While their engagement percentage is higher, we shouldn’t get too encouraged by that; it is still a shockingly low number: 42% of Traditionalists and 32% of Baby Boomers (Gallup, 2013). That means the remaining 58% and 68% respectively could either decide to retire or could be adding more value.
“The number of employees over the age of 55 has increased by 30 percent; however, the number of 25- to 54-year-olds has only increased by 1 percent” (Claire, 2009). In 2008 the eldest of the 77 million baby-boomers turned 62. Estimates are that by the end of the decade about 40 percent of the work force will be eligible to retire. As people begin to reach the age of retirement there may be not be enough new employees to fill the gap (Clare, 2009). Companies need to find ways to attract Boomers and Millennials. Companies that want to attract Boomers and Millennials need to be creative in their culture, HR policies and work environments.
Look of workforce in Australia is changing. It is no longer the same as it was 20 years ago. Where young men were the main workers and old people and women were sitting at work with their kids (Nankervis et al. 2006, p.54). Nowadays number of old people has increased dramatically, which is affecting workforce and brings new challenges to human resource. New implications that human resources have to deal with are appropriate age allocation, keeping old employees working for as long as possible and avoiding clashing of different generations. Also combine experience from old employees with knowledge of new technologies from younger ones. All these can be done by correct human resources strategies, which will benefit organizations and