Monthly Incentive Idea

A client we have been working with for a few years called our office frustrated about a recent new hire in her mid 20’s. “I don’t understand this new generation…they arrive at work on their first day and somehow expect that they should get a Gold Star for everything they do around here!”

Although it seems like every new generation of young workers “irritate” the older, more experienced ones, it is imperative for the success of any organization seeking to attract and retain “Generation Y” (those born between 1978-1990), to understand how to really motivate them!

A common misperception is that Generation Y is as a group not loyal to any company and will likely only stay put for 1 – 2 years before moving on to the next opportunity. True – it is not uncommon to see a job applicant in their mid 20s with 5 or more previous employers on their resume. But does this mean they are destined to be job hopping and we should avoid hiring them…or is it that they have just not found a company that understands how to retain and motivate them?

The reality is that Gen-Yers can be very loyal – They just don’t exhibit the kind of loyalty you find in a kingdom: blind loyalty to hierarchy, observance of rites of passage or patience for recognition and rewards. Gen-Yers are eager to prove themselves – they will do anything you ask them to do as long as you are keeping track of their accomplishments and giving them credit for what they are doing along the way. This does not mean you have to hand out a trophy or a gold star every 5 minutes…simply frequently stopping by to see them in their office space, verbally acknowledging their efforts, clearly outlining expectations and rewards and offering your support and pearls of wisdom on how they can do their work efficiently will go a long way.

Unlike their parents, Gen-Yers will quickly loose all sense of loyalty if they start to feel undervalued or not challenged enough and that’s when they will not think twice about switching to go work for your competition.