Multi-generational Workforce and Its Implication for Talent Retention Strategies

Talent recruitment and retention research has traditionally looked at such characteristics as age, gender, ethnicity, tenure, and more. There is however an increasing demand to add multigenerational diversity to this list. The current multi-generational workforce of Silent Generation, Baby Boomers, Generation X, and the Millennials generates a need for organizations to manage a highly diverse set of employees whose work habits and expectations vary widely. A generic approach to attracting and managing this multi-generational type of workforce is unlikely to work, mostly due to markedly distinct needs and wants by each generation. To keep up with multi-generational workforce, organizations need to respond to these varying needs and develop innovative ways to attract, manage, and retain talents. This chapter will give insight into the most effective talent management and retention practices per each generation and contextualize them in relation to stability of work environments.