Continuing with the Generations in the Workforce series, the next generation we are highlighting are the Baby Boomers. Still being one of the most dominant groups in the business world, Baby Boomers have been known as one of the largest generations in history. Expecting a looming retirement, many of Baby Boomers are still working and have expectations that need to be met in the workplace.
Baby Boomers are not attached to Careers
Baby Boomers are not likely to view employment as their identity (Roberts et al., 2008). Because of this, employment is not something that they feel tied to. Baby Boomers easily move from one career/company to the next and are hard to retain. This is why it’s very important that employers understand what is keeping each employee from this generation in their position. Without this information, it can be easy for employees of this generation to leave.
Baby Boomers Like to be Successful
Baby Boomers enjoy being leaders and getting the rewards that come along with do so. They like to win, to be in charge, and to make a difference. Baby Boomers are ambitious and they gauge success through material possessions (Eisner, 2005). Well-travelled, having done more than their parents, they enjoy free time and new adventures. Incentives that allow these experiences like paid time off are most appreciated.
Baby Boomers Appreciate Recognition
Baby Boomers enjoy recognition and praise. They can be motivated by being told that they are competent and doing a good job. They should be provided with regular feedback on their job performance. You cannot use the same techniques to motivate other generations in the same fashions as you would a seasoned Baby Boomer employee. They should not be placed in the same category or treated in the same fashion.
Baby Boomers Should Remember Their Experiences
When Baby Boomers came on to the workforce, they were met with obstacles from older generations because they felt that the Baby Boomers where edging them out of their positions. Now that the Baby Boomers are in the same position, they need to remember the position that they were in previously when working with the generations coming up after them so that they don’t create the same type of generational work tension.
In conclusion, focus on understanding the individual, not the generation. After all, everyone is an individual first. Baby Boomers span one of the largest gaps of time, which means that they can be one of the most complex groups of people. So let’s not lose focus of the importance of each individual within your company.