Healthforce Associate Director of Research Joanne Spetz, PhD, will serve on a committee exploring generational differences in the workforce. Titled Consideration of Generational Issues in Workforce Management and Employment Practices, the group’s research will evaluate the behavioral science and business management and literature on generational attitudes and behaviors.

“The US Army requested this study, and they have a clear need to optimize the engagement of all generations of those who serve,” said Dr. Spetz. “The research we will assess will surely also be relevant to health care leaders who manage across generations in their own workforce.” 

The committee will:

1.  Evaluate theory, data and statistical methods used in order to make determinations on the rigor of the empirical work in this literature.
2. Assess whether generational categories (e.g., “boomers,” “millennials”) are meaningful distinctions vis a vis the workforce and its practices. Included issues will be: recruitment, selection, assignment, training, learning, performance management, length of tenure in a job, and retention. 
3. Provide conclusions and recommendations in terms of proposing a possible science agenda and/or changes that are warranted to better recruit and retain the best employees.

The committee will initiate two public workshops in 2019 and present a consensus report in 2020.