HR professionals need to consider the different motivations of each employee generation. What do the youngest generations expect and how can those expectations be integrated into company culture and HR strategies? We’ll help you find the answers.
Do you have representatives of Generation Z (born after 1996) and Generation Y (so-called “millennials” born between 1980 and 1995) on your team? Probably yes. And that’s a good thing, because age-diverse teams achieve the best results. However, this places demanding and specific requirements on HR professionals, because each generation has different values, expectations, and communication styles.
Age-differentiated teams are more productive
Companies that promote intergenerational teamwork not only have higher productivity, but also a more effective corporate culture. The key to success is open and effective communication and mutual respect. Younger employees bring energy, flexibility, an innovative approach, and digital skills, while the older generation brings experience, knowledge, perspective, strategic thinking, and stability. Together, they learn from each other, inspire each other, and solve problems effectively.
How to motivate the youngest generation and what to offer them?
We have a few tips for you that younger employees are likely to appreciate.
- Flexibility
This is really fundamental. The younger generation does not recognize the traditional “nine to five” workday; instead, they want flexibility in terms of both time and place of work. Without offering flexible working hours, home office, and hybrid working models, companies will no longer succeed.
- Modern forms of fast internal communication
While older generations were used to lengthy formal meetings, younger people prefer immediate and informal communication. Applications and programs such as Asana, Slack, MS Teams, WhatsApp, and other platforms are commonplace for them. Try introducing one of them into your company and be surprised by its advantages. Online chats between colleagues within some of the Verso package features are also a great option, as are the online Praise, Polls, and other quick digital options.
- Bet on technology and HR digitization
Attract employees with the latest technologies, such as modern employee benefit payments via virtual cards or smart watches, gamification on online platforms that motivate employees to participate in company projects or training, or e-learning and development platforms.
- Continuous education is also essential. The younger generation is no longer willing to wait years for promotions and opportunities for development. Learning is a natural need for them; they want to grow and acquire new skills. If the company does not provide this, they will start looking elsewhere. Take advantage of corporate coaching and mentoring, in which older colleagues can also help.
- Ecology and the social impact of the company are other important factors for the younger generation. They expect companies to be active in the area of social sustainability, to think ecologically, to support non-profit organizations, and to promote inclusion in general. Try, for example, the Carpool feature from the Verso package for corporate ecological solutions.
- An open and friendly atmosphere is a must-have.
For young people, for example, a toxic environment is a big red flag. They want to work in a friendly team where there is open communication and mutual support. Allow them to be heard and give them clear and regular feedback that will enable them to learn and improve quickly.
Be bold and don’t be afraid to offer unconventional benefits
The youngest generation might appreciate official breaks for social media. Yes, you heard right. But on the other hand, it used to be common for employees to go out for a smoke several times a day. What’s the difference? Meetings focused on creative problem solving could also be interesting. For example, “Innovation Fridays.” Or days off dedicated to mental health. A nice and refreshing tip for everyone involved could be “reverse mentoring,” which looks a little different from the classic version. Instead of older and more experienced employees teaching younger ones, older colleagues could learn something from their younger counterparts.
The younger generation no longer wants to feel like a cog in a machine. Give them space and they will reward you with loyalty and enthusiasm. In many ways, the features of the Verso packages for internal communication, motivation, and engagement, as well as ecological solutions in the company, can help you very easily.
