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Supporting the health of your employees through their lives

How to manage a multigenerational workforce

Generation Z

Generation Z in the workplace (age 16-23)

Born between 1996-2010
Largest group in existence

Generation Z is set to be the biggest generation of all time, at over two billion individuals worldwide.

Known as the first true digital natives, this generation is comfortable with technology. They grew up in a recession and witnessed a growing income gap which has led to their ultimate aspiration of being secure and stable.

Their current workplace health needs are centred around providing support to stay fit and healthy, debt worries and pressure to work in a meaningful job, mental health issues and online bullying.

With an increasing number of young people seeking treatment for mental health issues, it’s paramount that they feel supported at work. At Benenden Health we have several initiatives - such as mental health first aiders and our mental health helpline - to reassure colleagues that their emotional health is important to us.

Helen Smith, Chief Commercial Officer, Benenden Health

How can you support Generation Z in your workplace?

Did you know you could have five generations in your workforce? Discover our comprehensive guide on managing the wellbeing needs of a multigenerational workforce. This guide helps employers understand the unique health and wellbeing needs of all five generations.

Generation Z
Drugs and alcohol misuse

Promote better sleep habits

As this generation are more tech savvy, they are likely to have technology hamper their sleep. Encourage them to get the recommended eight hours a night with these helpful tips.

Better sleep habits >

Spotting mental health issues in young adults

Stigma can often stop young people reaching for help with their emotional wellbeing. Watch our video on spotting mental health issues in young people to help identify when your younger team members might be struggling.

Mental health in young adults >
Graduate recruitment – how to attract graduates
Millennials

Millennials in the workplace (age 24-38)

Born between 1981-1995
Least satisfied with current workplace offerings

Due to the lack of relevant work after graduation, along with the recession, many Millennials are uninterested in the typical 9-5 job and expect flexibility.

Research suggests that a significant generational disconnect exists between Millennials and their older colleagues, which has the potential to cause communication and retention issues.

57% of the Millennial workforce expect to move job within two years, while 40% will move within one year.

The current workplace health needs of Millennials are generally centred around weight management, sleep deprivation, recreational drug use, stress and depression and financial strain.

The millennial generation is health conscious, but obesity levels in this age group are on the rise. To help promote healthy eating and exercise, we provide free fruit in the office and hold lunch time fitness classes and after-work running clubs.

Cheryl Lythgoe, Society Matron, Benenden Health

How can you support Millennials in your workplace?

Did you know you could have five generations in your workforce? Discover our comprehensive guide on managing the wellbeing needs of a multigenerational workforce. This guide helps employers understand the unique health and wellbeing needs of all five generations.

Millennials
Millennials

How well do you manage stress at work?

Millennials are more likely to have reported a mental health problem than older generations, with stress being cited as a common concern. Take our stress quiz to find out where you sit on the scale and how you can help employees suffering from stress.

Manage stress at work >
How to motivate and retain millennials

How to motivate and retain millennials

With 57% of the Millennial generation looking to move jobs over the next two years, discover what you can do to motivate and retain them.

Motivate and retain millennials >

Supporting new parents in the workplace

Many Millennials are experiencing parenthood for the first time, here’s what you can do to support them as they go through a significant change in their lives.

Supporting new parents >
Supporting new parents in the workplace
Generation X

Generation X in the workplace (age 39-54)

Born 1965-1980
Most overlooked for promotion and the slowest to advance at work

Born during the time of shifting societal values, Generation X is often referred to as the “forgotten middle child” in the workplace.

Although generally seen as hungry and hardworking, this generation is sandwiched between the retirement needs of Baby Boomers and tech-savvy Millennials so their expertise can easily go undervalued.

Although more proactive about their health than generations before, Generation X still has several health needs centred around alcohol dependency, early onset menopause, mental health strains due to caring for young children and elderly parents, and financial worries due to mortgages, school fees and childcare costs. Our research said this generation were likely to take the most sick days on average each year.

As our most pressured group when it comes to caring commitments, Benenden Health supports these employees by providing family leave so they can take the time off they need without feeling uncomfortable.

Jayne Story, Chief People Officer, Benenden Health

How can you support Generation X in your workplace?

Did you know you could have five generations in your workforce? Discover our comprehensive guide on managing the wellbeing needs of a multigenerational workforce. This guide helps employers understand the unique health and wellbeing needs of all five generations.

Generation X

Why you should consider the needs of your employees with family and caring commitments

This generation is more likely than any other to be caring for children and parents at the same time. Find out how it’s impacting your workforce and what you can do to improve things.

Employees with caring commitments >
Family and caring commitments
Why online doctors and GP helplines are a win/win

Why online doctors and GP helplines are a win-win

Learn how providing a GP helpline service can support this time-pressured generation.

Online doctors and GP helplines >

7 things you need to know about migraines

Migraines can impact people at any age. But with 90% of sufferers experiencing their first attack by the time they hit 40, migraines can cause considerable problems for those in Generation X.

Things to know about migraines >
7 things you need to know about migraines
Baby Boomers

Baby Boomers in the workplace (age 55-72)

Born between 1947-1964
Likely to see a rise in number of over 50s in the workforce

Born in a time of widespread government subsidies, the Baby Boomer generation had free education and more affordable housing. They enjoyed peak levels of income as well as enjoying the benefits of abundant food, clothing and good pension pots.

This generation rates their work-life balance as much poorer than younger generations. Almost half (49%) of Baby Boomers believe their work-life balance is between average and very poor

Their current workplace health needs are, in general, centred around obesity and lack of physical exercise, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular disease, depression and anxiety, menopause, prostate cancer and the emotional impacts of bereavement and retirement.

This is the age where long-term health issues may start to manifest. We provide free onsite mini-health assessments to help colleagues identify health risks and give advice on how they can minimise them before they become a problem. The use of our mental wellbeing support line is essential in maintaining a healthy mind.

Cheryl Lythgoe, Society Matron, Benenden Health

How can you support Baby Boomers in your workplace?

Did you know you could have five generations in your workforce? Discover our comprehensive guide on managing the wellbeing needs of a multigenerational workforce. This guide helps employers understand the unique health and wellbeing needs of all five generations.

Baby Boomers
Supporting employees affected by terminal illness

Supporting employees affected by terminal illness

This is the period in life where long-term health conditions are more likely to occur, including terminal illnesses. Find out how you can better support your employees through this difficult time.

Terminal illness support >

Why employee work-life balance matters

As research suggests this generation rates their work-life balance as much poorer than younger generations, finding the right work-life balance is important to them. Discover why work-life balance matters and what you can do to improve it in your workplace.

Work-life balance >
Why employee work-life balance matters
How to support employees with depressio

How to support employees with depression

Suicide rates are higher amongst Baby Boomer men and women. Discover how you could help this age group manage their mental health.

Support employees with depression >
Silent Generation

Silent Generation in the workplace (age 73+)

Born before 1946
Over half who work over 70 are now self-employed

Born against the backdrop of the Great Depression and the Second World War, the Silent Generation has a strong work ethic and are typically loyal to their employer.

They typically experienced prosperous adulthoods, with high employment rates, good health, generally excellent pension packages and early retirement.

Workplace health needs are centred around musculoskeletal and heart conditions, poor sleep quality, visual and hearing impairments, social isolation and loneliness as well as financial concerns where they experience smaller-than-expected pension pots. Our research said that beyond financial remuneration, this generation see keeping active as the biggest benefit of being in work.

It’s really important that this age group keep as active and social as they possibly can. To encourage movement and interaction at work, Benenden Health sponsors a local park where employees can go for a gentle walk at lunchtime either on their own or with their colleagues.

Jayne Storey, Chief People Officer, Benenden Health

How can you support the Silent Generation in your workplace?

Did you know you could have five generations in your workforce? Discover our comprehensive guide on managing the wellbeing needs of a multigenerational workforce. This guide helps employers understand the unique health and wellbeing needs of all five generations.

Silent Generation
Supporting a bereaved employee

Supporting a bereaved employee

The Silent Generation are the group most likely to experience the loss of loved ones and friends. Find out how you can support bereaved employees by giving them the time and space they need to grieve.

Support bereaved employees >

How a mentoring programme can benefit your workplace

Offering opportunities for older employees to connect and share their skills and experience with younger team members is an effective way of keeping them engaged. Read our guide to the different types of mentoring you can carry out in your business.

Benefits of mentoring programmes >
How a mentoring programme can benefit your workplace
7 health benefits of walking to work

7 health benefits of walking to work

Musculoskeletal conditions and coronary heart disease can affect the Silent Generation. Encourage them to take regular exercise with this article on the benefits of walking to work.

Walking to work >

How to support employees with dementia

This generation encompasses the average age for onset of dementia. Find out how to spot common signs and symptoms of dementia as well as an action plan on how you can support employees suffering with the condition.

Support employees with dementia >
How to support employees with dementia