5 Ways to Engage Baby Boomers in the Workplace

Last updated on March 3, 2023 at 07:11 pm

Right now, there is a considerable focus on how Millennials and Gen Zers impact the workplace. But Baby Boomers were the original generation that changed the job and consumer landscape. And today, Boomers still make up a large part of the U.S. workforce and are working well past traditional retirement years. However, according to a Gallup State of the American Workplace Report, Baby Boomers are also the most disengaged segment of the workforce. This lack of employee engagement costs corporate America almost $500 million annually. So, how can we increase employee engagement of Baby Boomers in the workplace?

Celebrate Performance

Rewarding Baby Boomers is key to keeping them engaged with their work. All employees want to be valued and appreciated regardless of their generation. Baby Boomers are no exception.

If you’re looking to start an employee recognition program or revamp an existing one, check out our free guide to frontline worker recognition. Ensuring that you have a great recognition program in place can tremendously increase the employee engagement of Baby Boomers in your organization.

Provide Mentorship Opportunities

With the wealth of experience Boomers have collected over their careers, knowledge sharing is an opportunity to reconnect with their workplace. 

By setting up a mentorship program that your experienced workers can participate in, they can pass along advice to those who are just starting or less advanced in their careers. In addition, it will remind them of what they love about their job and enable them to support a colleague’s growth. This has the added benefit of also providing learning and development opportunities to more junior workers, which boosts their engagement.

Cut Through the Clutter

Baby Boomers, like all employees, have complex lives outside of work. So, employers need to communicate with their boomer workforce efficiently. Mobile technology presents an opportunity to directly push information to a device that most Boomers always have on them.

If you think this generation won’t want to use an employee app for company communication, think again. Pew Research has found that 97% of adults in the US have smartphones, and many are willing to use them for work.

Smaller Teams

Allowing employees to work in smaller teams can make them feel more productive and accountable for their work. In turn, they feel more engaged with their company.

Challenging Assignments

Because Baby Boomers often have strong work ethics and are incredibly goal-oriented, they thrive when challenged. Keep Boomers engaged in the workplace by offering them challenging projects that call upon their vast wealth of experience.

Avoid Damaging Stereotypes

Baby Boomers, like Millennials, are often subject to stereotypes that cause more harm than good. So, when you consider how to best engage this generation in the workplace, we encourage you to ask them. This will help you tailor your strategy to your employees’ unique needs and wants.

Mobile Technology Helps You Engage Baby Boomers in the Workplace

Baby Boomers have changed the way we work. Therefore, it is critical to have the right programs to connect, motivate, and engage them. 

And providing programs and technologies that take into account their busy lives, decades of experience and recognize their accomplishments will go a long way towards engaging Baby Boomers.