By: Deborah Johnson Wood
Employers face the challenge of retaining experienced workers who aren’t quite ready to retire, while, at the same time, running a shop that meets the needs and expectations of young college grads.
A new Grand Rapids group, West Michigan WorkLife Alliance (WMWLA), might be the first in the area to bring employers together to discover best practices aimed at keeping talent, Baby Boomers and Millennials alike.
“Millennials are coming into the workforce saying ‘I’m not sure I want to have a 60-hour workweek like my parents,’” says Alison Brown of Encompass LLC and founder of WMWLA. “That’s particularly true for employers who are faced with attracting and retaining talent in competitive sectors like technology, health care and medical research—the talent can go anywhere they want and get a job.”
A structured work/life benefits portfolio is a key component to attracting and keeping talent of all ages. The portfolio might include flexible work hours, tuition reimbursement, mentoring for individuals new to the area or an option for parents/grandparents to take time off for a child’s school or athletic event.
“An important tenet of stress management is control,” Brown says. “Employees want more control over their quality of life. Research shows that if they have some input on things like their work schedules, education, or Teleworking, employers get increased loyalty, all other things being equal.”
Knowing you need a work/life package and providing one that works are two different things. The WMWLA meets monthly and features discussions led by companies that have successfully implemented work/life options.
“At the end of a year, members will have a good overview of work/life benefits, how to provide them and where to get help setting up programs,” Brown says.
For more information, contact Brown.
Source: Alison Brown, Encompass
Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected].
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.