What makes Baby Boomers more productive and satisfied on the job?
The generation of Baby Boomers tends to stay in the same field for longer and be more hardworking compared to younger generations. Their dominant work values include achievement, success, and loyalty to their careers (Robbins & Judge, 2021). They are less digitally educated than the next generations and prefer face-to-face interactions and e-mail to social networks, smartphones, and videoconferencing (Bython Media, 2018). Therefore, a secure and stable workplace with proper e-mail tools and the availability of real-life communication is required for Baby Boomers’ productivity and job satisfaction.
What makes Millennials more productive and satisfied?
The generation of Millennials is the most significant working population nowadays. They tend to be self-confident, technologically savvy, and care about their quality of life more than their careers (Robbins & Judge, 2021). Collaboration, interaction, and feedback are essential for the Millennial generation’s efficiency (Bython Media, 2018). They seek purpose, growth, financial success, continuous learning, and appropriate tools for all types of digital communication.
How are they similar?
Despite the fact that Baby Boomers and Millennials have a lot of differences, they also have something in common. Both generations tend to focus on individual performance, while teamwork frequently appears as their weakness (Bateman et al., 2018). Another similarity is the craving for flexibility: nowadays, Baby Boomers want to work less to spend more time on family, hobbies, or traveling (Bateman et al., 2018). For Millennials, it means flexible working hours, remote jobs, more freedom, and independence.
What motivates and makes Gen X more productive and satisfied? Why?
Gen X is sufficiently technologically educated, independent though team-oriented, and appreciates flexibility. To motivate and make them more productive, an employer should ensure an appropriate work-life balance (Robbins & Judge, 2021). The Gen X population tends to have families and value their outside workplace activities; thus, they need a job that does not interfere with their lives.
How is Gen Z different?
Gen Z is the newest population that is starting to fill vacancies. Bateman et al. (2018) stated that Gen Zers “were the first truly digital natives who grew up with smartphones” (p. 493). Therefore, the primary demand of Gen Zers is to have a highly technically developed working environment. They expect everything to be available on their smartphones and other devices.
What are companies doing currently, and what should they be doing to increase employee satisfaction with the different generations?
Companies need to consider the needs and values of any generation’s employees. Boomers expect appropriate care and retirement plans, security, and stability. Gen Xers and Millenials value work-life balance, flexibility opportunities, and family-oriented programs. To attract the Gen Z population, companies improve their technologies. In addition, most organizations provide employees with various means of communication for the convenience of everyone.
References
Bateman, T. S., Snell, S., & Konopaske, R. (2019). Management: Leading & collaborating in a competitive world (13nd ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
Robbins, S. P., & Judge, T. A. (2021). Organizational behavior (Updated 18th ed.). Pearson.
Bython Media. (2018). How to manage 5 generations in the modern workplace. [Video]. YouTube. Web.