Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Engaging Generation Y in the Workplace

By Alison K. Mitchelson

If your business is looking for new and energetic employees in Sydney, you're going to have to meet the challenge of creating a workplace which will appeal to members of Generation Y. These people are technologically savvy and up on the latest developments. Now that the baby boomers are nearing retirement, attracting and retaining talented Generation Y employees should be a priority for your business.

When looking to attract these dynamic people to your business there are a number of things that are important to keep in mind. Hiring the right people is vital to the growth and success of any business. Equally important however is ensuring that these people are working in an engaging, satisfying workplace and will thus choose to remain in the job for a number of years.

Making your workplace one which will engage members of Generation Y involves having an understanding of the psychology of this young and dynamic group. This is a generation which has grown up with the constant presence of the internet. These are people who use social networking and are very interested in information and using the web to conduct research on their own. Generation Y is made up of skilled problem solvers who are used to thinking outside of the box and have a reverence for new technology.

When looking to draw Generation Y employees to your business and keep them there, you one thing that you need to expect is that they will not be invested in devoting their lives to the company.

Generation Y places a great deal of value on both job loyalty and quality of life and are not likely to be satisfied in a position which requires them to dedicate a lot of time or effort; at least without the appropriate level of compensation. This is also a generation which has little tolerance for being micromanaged - they are used to managing their time effectively and work well independently.

Companies hiring in Sydney should also be aware that the members of Generation Y also put a premium on being able to dress casually in the workplace. As they see it, if they won't be in contact with clients, there is no reason for them to wear suits in the workplace. A relaxed workplace dress code can go a long way towards making Generation Y employees feel at home in the workplace.

As these young workers enter the job market in growing numbers, companies must be aware of how to recruit and engage them in order to achieve stability in their company staffing.

Especially in Sydney, companies have to understand the particular needs and sensibilities of Generation Y. Before hiring new staff, take some time to learn a bit more about these newcomers to the workforce. The best way is to speak with someone who has already managed to create a work environment in which members of Generation Y are successfully engaged. - 15478

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