New research shows that the differences between generations at work are small when it comes to employee engagement.
Sirota Survey Intelligence (www.sirota.com), an attitude research company, conducted a study of cross-generational attitudes of more than 300,000 workers in over 50 organizations. The generations surveyed were from Generation Y (27 and younger) to Traditionalists (63 and older).
“Our research dispels the myths about younger employees being more disengaged from their jobs. It also refutes the contention that Generation X employees (ages 28-42) are the most cynical of age groups,” said Douglas Klein, President of Sirota Survey Intelligence.
Their findings? The workers in all these generations are about the same as far as their engagement in their jobs and their attitude toward work. Actually, the Traditionalists (63 and older) are the most engaged but the other generations are not far behind. Their recommendations? Don’t overlook the Traditionalists as employees. “They consistently have higher employee engagement levels than other employees with comparable tenure,” said Klein.
I’m glad Sirota has published this research. It confirms my own suspicions that the whole pandering to different generations and accepting bad behavior because that’s the way it is with this group of people is a complete waste of resources. We’re not all that different when it comes to work.
Thanks for sharing this data. I see too many studies out there that really knock Generation Y and I can’t help but wonder if there is a generation gap in understanding the generations! I was disheartened by the recently released Junior Achievement/Deloitte study (http://www.ja.org/about/about_newsitem.asp?StoryID=435) which many news outlets used to create headlines dismissing Gen Y as a bunch of unethical cheaters.
In my blog I try to explore generational differences to help communication professionals effectively target their audiences. (http://jakprpro.wordpress.com). Thanks for joining me in keeping the discourse focused on a more positive, productive note.
By: jakprpro on April 8, 2008
at 3:12 pm
Agreed – the Junior Achievement survey’s findings were certainly disturbing but I hope as these teenagers grow older, they will understand that others don’t take such views lightly.
As for generational differences, I read a lot of hype (and just plain nonsense) on this topic. I was pleased to see that your blog is research-based and offers some very thoughtful information. Marketers and researchers segment the generations into far more many complex layers than the average person hawking generational differences. It’s important to know this.
My point is that recruiters don’t have to unreasonably twist themselves or their companies into generational employment silos because research shows that many employees, regardless of age, want basically the same things. And with immigrants making up one out of every eight people in the U.S. (and maybe more in the younger generations), does it even make sense to pinpoint such sweeping characteristics on large numbers of ethnically and culturally diverse people?
As you can see, there are so many other ways to drive recruiters crazy!
By: careerframes on April 9, 2008
at 12:40 pm
I couldn’t agree more. We spend way too much time talking about differences and the negative aspects of those differences when we need to be focusing on similarities and the positives of same. We are, afterall, human – each searching for a modicum of respect and understanding. While each new generation does exhibit a driving need to express their differences, as we age, our thought processes become more similar to those we follow. In my workshopos, I often say, “At some point in life, we all become our parents.” I see proof of that every day in my work.
By: Linda Thompson on November 17, 2008
at 3:28 pm