A Guide To Recognizing Your Multigenerational Workforce
One of the most challenging aspects of managing a business is finding the best way to motivate employees. What works for one generation may not work for another. It can be difficult to identify generational differences in the workplace without formal education on how these generations differ.
This article will provide you with some tips on recognizing your multigenerational workforce, as well as strategies that will help you better manage their needs.
Have A Platform to Recognize Employees
You need a platform that allows you to recognize employees for good behavior, but each generation feels comfortable participating. Make sure this system is accessible across all generations and make it simple enough so even younger generations will want to participate.
The key here is finding something everyone can feel like part of rather than feeling left out or disrespected because of age differences. This may be as easy as having an Employee Of The Month board with names listed on it that anyone in the company can contribute to if they have noticed positive work behaviors from other team members during the previous month.
When possible, try including everyone by hosting cross-generational activities where new company members can get together outside of work hours with other employees who have been there longer. It would be best to show that you recognize the employees’ efforts towards improving your organization by offering gift cards and custom plaques.
Build An Inclusive Workplace
Your best tool for recognizing your multigenerational workforce is ensuring you have an inclusive workplace. While this may seem like a simple task, most workplaces are not always focused on creating the environment that leads to inclusiveness. An inclusive work environment starts with how employees feel when they contact each other during their day-to-day tasks and projects.
Building rapport can help eliminate age barriers by encouraging younger generations who might be uncomfortable interacting with older coworkers to give these relationships a chance. This is where senior management and team leads come in to help set the tone for an inclusive atmosphere within their teams by taking younger employees under their wing and providing guidance on contributing or building relationships with other staff members across generational lines.
Use Social Media Platforms
Employee recognition is easier than ever with the number of social media platforms available. Companies can use these apps in various ways to help promote their company values and reward great performance across generations, depending on what works best for them.
Snapchat, Instagram, and YouTube all have different user bases, so it might take some time to figure out which platforms work best for your company’s needs when it comes to recognizing each generation appropriately. Still, the most important thing is that everyone feels included no matter their age before you can expect them to recognize one another in return outside of normal working hours.
People who do not feel included or valued will eventually leave a job if given enough opportunities. Nobody wants to put effort into something where they don’t feel appreciated later, no matter how much experience staff members may have under their belt. Since every employee brings value, it is important to take the time necessary before implementing any official recognition programs, so you don’t lose out on potential future successes.
Personalize Employee Training
Employee training should be personalized to each staff member’s skill level and areas where they feel their skills may need work. This will help make them more confident when working with other team members, which will lead to a happier workforce overall who feels appreciated for all their hard work rather than just the extra mile if necessary.
Taking time throughout initial hiring practices and continuing this evaluation time during training sessions can help managers figure out what works best for all their employees’ skill levels and comfort zones. This will allow a company to implement specific tasks that each employee is comfortable with.
Mentoring Program
For companies that want to take it a step further, using an existing employee pairing program or creating one of your own will allow for an even more personal approach to the recognition process.
This can be great when working with younger generations who are still trying to find their niche in the workplace as well as older employees.
Managers should try assigning mentors within teams regardless of age, gender or background so that every generation feels valued rather than just the extra mile if necessary since this is often where new ideas stem from.
Identifying your multigenerational workforce is the first step to managing their needs. Acknowledging that every employee brings something different and important to your company helps them feel valued, which helps you to develop your multigenerational workforce.
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