Generation Y, also known as Millennials, are a population that is quickly growing in the workplace. While Baby Boomers are delaying retirement, the tide is shifting toward Millennials to take up the mantle of the largest generation of workers today. As an employer, how can you keep Gen Y happy on the job? They have some different requirements and expectations from their older counterparts. Here are five things you can do in the office to keep your millennial employees engaged and motivated.

1. Be community minded. Millennials are very conscious of social causes and want to feel engaged with the community around them. If they work for a company that supports local organizations they are more likely to stay motivated. Create volunteer programs. Work with causes that are important to your team. Create a presence in your community.
2. Encourage entrepreneurship. Generation Y is creative. They are teeming with great ideas that they need to share with others. Companies who have programs where their employees can work on personal projects during a specific portion of company time get more productive work out of their team the rest of the workday. Create events where people can work on any project they choose. You may find some innovations that can help your company.
3. Encourage flexible schedules. Work/Life balance is more than just a catch-phrase to millennials. They have always been connected to the world wild web and don’t see a reason to be chained to a desk or a cubical for 9 hours a day. Offer work from home programs or flexible hours to give them more freedom over their schedules. Encourage these programs and you will see they are very productive when they don’t feel trapped.
4. Be career minded. When a member of generation Y leaves a company it is often because they feel unchallenged or stagnant. This is a group of young people who want to learn as much as possible. Give them an idea of the career track for their role and train them in other aspects of the organization. The more they know the better your business will be for having individuals trained in many areas.
5. Provide mentorships. Don’t leave out your Boomer or Gen X employees in this new workplace of the Future. These generations have a lot of experience they can impart on their Gen Y counterparts. Establish programs in your office where younger employees can spend time learning from your veteran team. This way, when you’re faced with a retiring staff member you know their knowledge will not be lost to the company.

How are you working with your Generation Y Staff members? Learn more tricks and tips from the team at StaffEx, one of the leading staffing agencies in Tampa.