Five generations in the workplace and job satisfaction

Abstract

With a focus on the five generations in the workplace and their ties to job satisfaction, this study explores the relationship between each generation and four job satisfaction factors. I assessed whether full-time working participants from different generations had differences in overall job satisfaction and factors such as colleague and supervisor relationships, work meaningfulness, and pay and benefits. The hypothesized relationship between older generations and higher job satisfaction was supported as well as the relationship between younger generations and higher value on colleague relationships. The relationship between Millennials and satisfied work meaningfulness was not supported and there was no relationship between Generation X and less importance on supervisor relationships and Millennials and satisfied benefit packages. My findings emphasize the importance of knowing generational differences in the organization to allow for a more productive and useful workplace.