Crafting a Workplace that Millennials and Gen Z Love: Insights from a recent Hospitality Workshop

The hospitality industry is evolving, driven by the fresh perspectives and values of Millennials and Gen Z. As these younger generations become the backbone of the workforce, businesses must adapt to attract and retain talent. Recently, I had the pleasure of leading a workshop at a prestigious London venue, focused on enhancing recruitment, well-being, and retention.

This blog post combines insights from that workshop with key data on workplace motivation, offering a roadmap to creating a workplace where young employees thrive.

Understanding the New Workforce

The hospitality industry is predominantly staffed by Millennials and Gen Z, with the average age around 30 and a significant portion under 21. While we don't want to throw everyone under one single blanket - research is showing that younger people at work bring unique values and motivations to the workplace, prioritising purpose, autonomy, and belonging over traditional job stability and benefits. They seek employers who not only provide a paycheck but also align with their personal values and offer meaningful experiences.

The Power of Internal Motivations

This workshop emphasised the importance of internal motivations—purpose, autonomy, and belonging—as crucial drivers of employee happiness and retention. This aligns with broader research indicating that fulfilling work experiences are key to maintaining a motivated and engaged workforce.

Over the workshop, we explored how to tap into these motivations by aligning them with the organisation's unique core values: acting with integrity, being inclusive, maintaining professionalism, and looking to the future. This alignment will go a long way to help create a workplace where employees feel their personal and professional goals are supported and valued.

Retention: Beyond Pay and Perks

One of the significant misconceptions about retention is that it revolves around keeping staff through competitive pay and benefits. While these are important, they are not sufficient on their own. True retention is about creating a culture and environment where employees genuinely want to stay because they feel valued, respected, and part of a larger purpose.

Key Strategies for Crafting a Workplace that Millennials and Gen Z Love

1. Aligning with Values

• Aligning employee motivations with your organisation’s core values is essential. For this venue, this meant acting with integrity, being inclusive, and looking to the future. When employees see their values reflected in their workplace, they are more likely to stay engaged and committed.

2. Understanding and Valuing Employees as Individuals

• Employees are not just workers; they are individuals with unique goals and motivations. By understanding and valuing them as people, you can better align their personal aspirations with your company’s mission. This approach fosters a deeper connection and a stronger commitment to the organisation.

3. Effective Interview Techniques

• Interviewing for cultural fit is as important as assessing skills. This workshop highlighted the need for values-based behavioural questions, being prepared, and setting a positive tone from the first interaction. These techniques help ensure that new hires not only have the right skills but also share your company’s values and vision.

4. Creating a Supportive and Engaging Environment

• A supportive environment where employees feel their well-being is prioritised can significantly enhance retention. Comprehensive well-being programs that address both physical and mental health are crucial. These programs demonstrate that you value your employees' overall happiness and productivity.

Practical Exercises and Discussions

During the workshop, participants engaged in exercises to identify what makes their venue an attractive workplace and how to communicate this to current and future employees. These discussions reinforced the importance of aligning recruitment strategies with intrinsic motivations when crafting a workplace that Millennials and Gen Z love.

Wrapping up

Creating a fulfilling and supportive work environment is key to attracting and retaining talent in the hospitality industry. By focusing on internal motivations, aligning with core values, and implementing effective interview techniques, businesses can build a workplace where employees not only thrive but also feel a deep sense of loyalty and commitment.

The insights from this workshop, combined with research on workplace motivation, provide a comprehensive approach to enhancing recruitment and retention. By adopting these strategies, you can transform your workplace into a thriving community where everyone feels valued and driven.

Let’s make work better together.

For more insights on transforming your workplace, visit thatmattcameron.com and explore how we can help your business thrive.