Motivated employees are productive employees. The youngest members of our workforce—“millennials,” the generation born between 1979 and 1994—have come of age in a time of economic recession, rapidly changing technology, and readily available information. To retain talented young employees, it helps to understand what inspires them, and what their values are.
What motivates “millennials”?
The millennial generation was coming of age during 9/11/2001 and the Great Recession. Due to these major events, they’re more globally minded than other generations, with an increased desire to begin their careers and start making money. What does this mean to you as an employer? There are steps you can take to ensure that job positions within your company remain attractive to talented, young employees. Consider the following:
- Explain the company’s goals. Don’t keep your employees in the dark! Hold regular meetings to explain the company’s goals and how your employees’ roles fit into the big picture.
- Pay well and make room for raises. Give your employees every reason to work hard and stay motivated. Compare your salary ranges against the national rates for similar positions. Give raises annually based on accomplishments throughout the year. Consider profit sharing or holiday bonuses.
- Promote from within. Give hard-working young employees something to work towards, and a reason to stay at your company. No one wants to feel stuck in a dead-end job. As they prove themselves, promote employees from within.
- Give feedback. Employees need to know if their efforts are paying off and if they are directing their energy appropriately. Help your young employees know they are on the right track through regular feedback. This can reinforce good behavior and foster a strong work ethic.
- Make a difference. Give your employees a chance to give back to the community and feel good about the company for which they work. Hold company-wide charity events, such as fundraisers, or clothing and food drives for a local charity. Install recycling bins throughout the building, and schedule regular pick up. Make charitable donations on behalf of the company.
- Include social activity. Regardless of their generation, people in their twenties and early thirties tend to be a social bunch. Include social or team-building events on your corporate calendar. Consider corporate lunches or dinners, happy hours, offsite and onsite department activities, and holiday gatherings.
It’s important to the future of your company to inspire and motivate young employees to work hard. By creating positive energy and a great work environment, your employees will be encouraged to stick with you and accomplish great things.
Snelling Georgia Group knows the ins and outs of the hiring process. If you are looking to add members to your workforce, contact our team of expert recruiters today for more information!
