Multigenerational workforce satisfaction: Relationship between generational cohorts and employee engagement

Abstract

Generational issues in the workplace have been compounded recently due to the increase in the number of generational cohorts working together in higher education. Analysis of the relationships between generational cohort, job satisfaction and employee engagement may contribute to a more engaged and productive work environment and was the purpose of this study. 760 full-time faculty and staff at a research-1 public institution in the south were surveyed to determine levels of engagement, job satisfaction and generational cohort. The findings of this study concluded that engagement is relatively high at this institution. There are four distinct generations at this university, which is consistent with the literature. Employee job satisfaction was high and independent of generational cohort. Employee tenure was directly related to generational cohort, it was related to absorption and vigor on the engagement scale but not to dedication.