Many organisations are struggling with engaging employees in the workplace and generation X employees are no different. Through research, a new staff engagement strategy can be built for this demographic.
Generation X Employees and Staff Engagement Strategy
The baby boomer generation includes those born between the end of World War II to 1964 in the West. They were defined by a high birth rate, peak levels of income, power and generally, privilege.
Whereas generation X is from the early 1960s to the early 1980s. According to Forbes, they were half the size of the generation before.
Whilst generation Y employees are those born from the early 80s to, arguably, the events of 9/11. There are many differences between managing generations and here are the three best staff engagement strategies for generation X.
Read: Why Staff Over 30 Leave and Employee Retention Strategies 2014.
Generation X Employee Rewards and Recognitions
Generation X employees value the time and attention of their superiors. They understand that a CEO’s time, for example, is precious and hard-earned.
This can be reflected in creative recognitions and low cost rewards for gen-X staff. If a CEO hand-writes a thank you for outstanding work with specific reasons of how the worker helped the company, this can go a long way to employee retention.
This can help employees feel valued and can create a competitive element amongst staff which improves productivity. This is a cheap staff engagement strategy but has a big impact.
Read: Creative Low Cost Employee Benefits.
Employees Leave Managers Not Companies
The statement that employees leave managers not companies may be a cliche but generation X employees put a lot more significance on relationships with managers. Additionally, they prioritise promotion and progression.
By setting up mentoring and coaching programs, generation X employees can build inter-office relationships. They can also be put in charge on their on progression and become a more skilled workforce for low costs.
This will help with staff retention and employees will thank their organisation if they progress and work harder own their goals if they don’t. Simply, employees will create their own staff motivation.
Read: Where Leaving Employees 30 and Under Go.
Boosting Staff Morale
Low morale is another trend amongst generation X employees according to great{with}talent‘s recent research. The key is to find staff motivation techniques that are productive and not a distraction from work.
Making work fun can help with team building and boost the mood in the workplace. Low cost staff engagement strategies like these can offer generation X employees things they wouldn’t find elsewhere and therefore improve employee retention.
Conducting employee engagement surveys can highlight the specific needs of your workforce. Then staff engagement strategies can be tailored to their specific needs in 2014 and beyond.
Contact great{with}talent and find out more about their TalentEngage employee engagement surveys.
(Main image from We Know Next)