Is Early Burn-Out Part of the Gen Y Mix?

During a business networking after hours this week, I had an interesting conversation with a woman, now retired from 30 years in financial services. In explaining to her how Knowledge Advantage helps organizations, I got on my soapbox around talent management -- the search for "good" talent and the challenge of retaining that talent. I explained how the impact of the boomers retiring, and the Gen Ys coming onboard, confound these issues, specifically around retention. We know Gen Ys like to move quickly, like to be involved in many things simultaneously and are pros at multi-tasking. So, the importance of on-boarding new hires becomes even more critical. If an organization provides valuable orientation to new hires, they feel informed, and knowledgeable about the company and their work, and ready to contribute. Conversely, without immediate immersion into the organization, new hires are left feeling uninformed, at a loss of what to do, directionless and not productive. Add to this mix the Gen Y who wants to have an impact, who wants to perform to show what they know and can do, and the Gen Y who gets restless quickly and has no qualms about moving from job-to-job to find personal success and gratification quickly. Remembering this, it's easy to see how onboarding is win/win. On-boarding fuels the energy and confidence of a new hire; while showing commitment and belief in the new hire, from the organization, particularly to a Gen Y. On-boarding produces more confident, productive, loyal and satisfied employees. Without it, the organization makes a bad impression on the new hire and risks the possibility of losing that employee sooner, to an employer of choice, who provides training and personal and professional development.

After my great speech on the value of organizational learning, beginning with on-boarding and continuing throughout an employee's tenure, to ensure individual growth and retention, she asked, "do you think the ways of the Gen Y, moving so quickly, multi-tasking, always wanting everything now, puts them on a fast road to burn-out?" MMMM, I thought, interesting question and do we know the answer yet?

To add your experiences and thoughts around new hires, on-boarding and Gen Ys, please click below, on Comments, and add your post.


Ruth

http://www.knowledgeadvantage.biz