Monday, 21 April 2008 
 
Managers need to understand the differences between the generations for businesses to attract and retain new employees said management consultant Avril Henry at the Chartered Accountants Business Forum in Brisbane today. 
 
Australia is in the midst of a skills shortage that shows no sign of slowing and is impacted by factors such as 25 per cent of generation X females making the choice not to have a family.  
 
‘Employers need to create a more positive work environment which understands and accepts that different generations are motivated differently,’ said Ms Henry.  
 
‘Gen Y want effective leadership. They want to work smarter not harder. They have become known as the ‘why?’ generation not because they want to question authority but because they are driven to do things that are meaningful. Any employer that responds with ‘this is the way it has always been done’ will never retain a generation Y employee,’ Ms Henry continued. 
 
‘Employees need to be considered before profit and loss because otherwise they are less likely to be committed to the company and provide a service which keeps clients and customers coming back,’ said Ms Henry.  
 
The baby boomer generation make up 80 per cent of senior managers, and are the majority of today’s employers.  
 
‘As employers, baby boomers need to understand how to recruit and retain employees. By listening to employees, leading by example and demonstrating respect for all levels will ensure a sustainable work force in the future,’ concluded Henry.