How to hang on to your wisdom workers (older generations)

It’s time to focus your attention to your baby boomer employees (aged 59 to 77 years). This generation has been an essential part of the workforce for many years, and their value cannot be underestimated. They are the wisdom workers who have decades worth of experience and knowledge that may be priceless for your company.

Our Workforce Trends research found that in the last 12 months, 42% of baby boomers have considered leaving their current role. Of course there is a natural shift of these workers exiting due to retirement, however many are leaving earlier than anticipated. This is mainly due to feeling left behind in an everchanging environment as technology advances and younger generations enter the workforce. Losing these workers can be a significant loss for companies, as they take years of valuable knowledge and experience with them.

To keep your wisdom workers engaged and motivated, it’s essential to understand the unique challenges they face in the workplace and take proactive steps to support them.

Foster a supportive work environment:

Retaining wisdom workers in the workforce requires creating a supportive work environment that values and celebrates their wealth of experience and knowledge. These employees have valuable perspectives on creating a more inclusive workplace and may know the ins and outs of the company better than anyone else. However, lack of support from leadership can be a major challenge for Baby Boomers.

Employers can address this is by ensuring there are regular check-in’s and opportunities for feedback and input, recognising and rewarding valuable contributions, and promoting opportunities for all employees to connect and collaborate. Team-building activities can be a great way to share the wisdom of baby boomers with the rest of the company, while also promoting a positive and inclusive workplace culture.

Provide professional development opportunities:

Many baby boomers find their work most satisfying when they are encouraged to grow professionally, according to our research that found 24% feel this way. So these opportunities are essential, even for your most experienced employees.

Mentoring programs, leadership training, and regular performance reviews are just some of the ways you can help your wisdom workers stay engaged and up-to-date with the latest trends in your industry. But make sure these opportunities are made accessible to all employees, not just those that are starting out in their careers, to encourage the growth and development of all team members.

Offer flexibility:

But not all wisdom workers are looking to advance their career. In fact, we found that 23% of our Baby Boomers don’t have career goals. This could be because they are looking to wind down towards retirement but may not be ready to retire entirely.

Offering flexible work arrangements can help them balance their work and personal commitments, while still being able to contribute their valuable skills and knowledge to the company. This could be as part-time work, work from home roles, or job sharing. By taking proactive steps to support and retain your wisdom workers, who bring years of valuable knowledge and experience to the table, companies can ensure they feel valued and motivated to continue thriving. It will benefit not only them and the company, but it will also create a more positive and inclusive workplace culture for all employees.

Want deeper insights into your wisdom workers?

Are you interested in learning more about the motivations, challenges, and priorities of your baby boomer employees? Download our Workforce Trends infographics to gain valuable insights into the world of the wisdom worker. Discover how to support and retain your experienced employees, and ensure they continue to thrive in the workforce.