| Delivering the wellness message to the four | | | | generation and the implication for company |
| generations currently in the workplace can be a | | | | wellness programs. Attention to the current |
| challenge and is worth addressing. Communicating | | | | demographics of each organization is |
| in a manner that will be well received is as | | | | recommended. The benefit of addressing |
| important as designing wellness initiatives that will | | | | generations within the wellness program may |
| appeal to each generation. Increased participation | | | | extend to recruiting as well. Organizations that are |
| and greater success are just two of the benefits | | | | heavy with Baby Boomers and wanting to attract |
| of making the effort to reach everyone in an | | | | Gen Y and Millennials can increase attraction with a |
| organization. | | | | visible wellness program including features that |
| There are a variety of labels used to identify | | | | appeal to these generations. |
| each generation. For the purposes of this article, | | | | There is much negative information about the |
| they are identified by the descriptors used most | | | | various generations as portrayed in the media. |
| frequently. The Traditionalists describes those who | | | | The oldest generation has been described as |
| are age 65 and older. Although age 65 signifies the | | | | conservative, Baby Boomers as self-centered and |
| opportunity for retirement in our society, many | | | | short-sighted, Gen Y as independent to a fault |
| Traditionalists are still in the workplace due to the | | | | and Millennials as spending their parents' money. |
| current economy. Some are working part-time as | | | | None of the characterizations of generational |
| well. Baby Boomers receive a lot of attention due | | | | features may be true for individuals. The |
| to their numbers and visibility. This generation | | | | information about generational identity is most |
| ranges in age from 46-64. Gen Y is the age | | | | useful for application of general concepts and is |
| group from 27-45. This group received a lot of | | | | not meant to label or disparage anyone. The most |
| attention initially but have taken a back seat to | | | | helpful way to utilize this information is in planning |
| the Millennial generation (26 years and younger). | | | | and delivering wellness initiatives. A first step may |
| Gen Y has been described as the first wave of | | | | be to make sure the organization's wellness |
| boomer children and the Millennials as the second | | | | committee has diverse membership across |
| wave. | | | | generations. |
| This series of five articles will address each | | | | |