Contrary to much that has been written about the differences between generations regarding their attitudes toward work and their engagement in their jobs, these variations are actually relatively small, according to research just completed by Sirota Survey Intelligence
“With the exception of employees age 63 and older, the differences between employees’ levels of engagement in their jobs are fairly narrow,” says Nick Starritt, MD of Sirota Survey Intelligence, Europe.
“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.”
Sirota conducted a major study of cross-generational attitudes of more than 300,000 workers in more than 50 organisations that the employee attitude research firm surveyed during 2006 and 2007.
The study encompassed four generational groups:
Generation Y – ages 27 and younger.
Generation X – ages 28-42.
Baby boomers – ages 43-62.
Traditionalists – ages 63 and older.
The research included employees’ overall satisfaction with their jobs, pride in working for their employers, whether they would recommend their organisations as a place to work and their willingness to put forth extra effort. Their responses collectively comprised an “index of employee engagement”.
Employees of the Traditionalist generation (ages 63 and older) are the most engaged in their jobs overall, with an 84% employee engagement level. The engagement levels of the other groups are within a relatively narrow range of 77-80%, according to the study.
Levels of employee engagement by generation, according to the study, are:
Traditionalists – 84% employee engagement level.
Baby boomers – 77% employee engagement level.
Generation X – 78% employee engagement level.
Generation Y – 80% employee engagement level.
Traditionalists (whether newly hired or long-tenured) are even more favourable regarding their engagement levels than all other generations at any point in their measured tenure.
Range of scores across various job tenure points from one year to more than 10 years:
Traditionalists – 88-83% .
Baby boomers – 82-75%.
Generation X – 82-76%.
Generation Y – 82-74%.
As one can additionally note, there is a strong pattern of difference between employees’ attitudes about, and engagement in, their jobs based on how long they have been with their employers, according to the study.
Overall employee engagement levels according to tenure are:
One year or less tenure – 83% employee engagement level.
1-2 years’ tenure – 79% employee engagement level.
2-5 years’ tenure – 75% employee engagement level.
6-10 years’ tenure – 76% employee engagement level.
10 or more years tenure – 79% employee engagement level
Sirota’s research demonstrates that, although an overwhelming majority of new employees are enthusiastic when starting a job, there is a measurable decline in their morale after the first year (often after the first six months), which continues through the fifth year.
“Many new employees begin losing their enthusiasm for their new jobs regardless of how old they are,” says Starritt.
“Employees’ continued or maintained level of engagement depends on how well management meets their needs and expectations during their time with their employers.”
Employees’ engagement level typically begins to recover after they have been with their employers for six years or more.
Very much in keeping with our own research at Expert Alumni, Nick Starritt notes that Traditionalists (ages 63 and older) may be an overlooked resource for employers.
They consistently have higher employee engagement levels than other employees with comparable tenure.
For example, Traditionalists with between two and five years’ tenure have an engagement level of 85% – 10 percentage points higher than that for Generation Y and Baby boomers (75%), and nine percentage points higher than that for Generation X (76%).
With more people living healthy, active lifestyles and so many Traditionalists uncertain whether they will have the financial resources to enable them to retire, they may want to stay in the workforce longer.
Employers may want to consider part-time and/or flexible work arrangements to keep more of these loyal, enthusiastic workers onboard. And with the volume of people who are now approaching retirement, these facts will be hard to ignore.
Jon Glesinger is founder/CEO of Expert Alumni
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