Communications and Technology Industry Research

A recent study conducted by Cindy Ventrice, author of ‘Make Their Day! Employee Recognition That Works’ reveals interesting details about the feedback of new and experienced workers.

Five age groups were represented in the study: 25 and under, 26-35, 36-45, 46-55, and 56 and over. Years of full time employment were broke down to four segments: four years and under, 5-10, 11-25, and 26 years and over.

According to the study, younger workers and those new to the workforce expect more feedback and encouragement as compared to other workers. The study states that those who have been in the workforce four years or less and those who are 25 and younger strongly favor frequent feedback from their employers.

The survey bases its findings on a study of more than 800 respondents regarding a wide range of employee recognition preferences.

The statistics compiled by the report show that on a scale of 1-5, with 5 most preferred, those 25 and under rate weekly feedback a 3.7 and those employed four years or less rate it a 3.6, while overall respondents rate the importance of weekly feedback a 3.4.

Cindy Ventrice states that as per the findings of the report, new workers who enter the workforce in their late 20s, 30s, or even later, share the same preference for frequency of feedback as younger workers.

The survey also provides data on the workers’ need for daily encouragement. Those 25 and younger have a more pronounced need for frequent praise (3.6) than other newer workers (3.3) and even more so than the overall workforce (3.0).

Ventrice advocates that managers and supervisors allow for frequent feedback by offering occasional corrective feedback and generous amounts of praise. "Don't keep young employees guessing. Let them know they are on track, and they will reward you with increased enthusiasm," Ventrice said.

Other data released by the study show that Millennials and those new to the workforce have significantly higher expectations in three additional areas. These are work/life balance, structure, and socializing.

Millennials refers to those born somewhere between 1980 and 2000. Any manager needs to understand the motivations and pressures of this generation of employees in order to function effectively.

Cindy Ventrice is the author of the best-selling book Make Their Day! Employee Recognition That Works and the companion guide Recognition Strategies that Work. She has worked with managers in 14 countries and has helped organizations improve employee morale and loyalty through effective recognition strategies.

Make Their Day! shows managers how employee recognition helps create a more motivated workforce. It offers insights into what employees really want, and offers low-cost strategies for offering employee recognition that really works.