The GeeX study – a nationwide project dedicated to the professional situation of Generation X, carried out by Enpulse in cooperation with the Warsaw School of Economics – has been extended until the end of March this year. The organizers emphasize that the decision results primarily from the enormous interest in the project and a clear signal that the voice of people aged 45+ has not been heard strongly enough for many years. The results of the study will be presented at the beginning of June this year.
“Generation X is a generation that did not come to HR with a list of expectations. They took responsibility, managed teams, and ensured the stability of organizations. Today it is clear that they finally want to be heard. This is confirmed by the fact that we already have more than 15 thousand participants in the study – clearly more than in last year’s Work War Z, a similar project concerning the youngest generation on the labor market. The scale of interest in the project exceeded our boldest expectations, which is why we decided to extend the study” says Tomasz Szklarski, the originator of the GeeX study and co-owner of Enpulse.
An uncomfortable conversation about age
The first observations from the implementation of the study show that the very conversation about maturity in organizations can still be difficult. However, the problem is not limited solely to stereotypes, but also to habits prevailing in organizations.
“In recent years, a huge amount of attention from HR departments has been focused on younger generations – their working style, needs, and language of communication. Meanwhile, Generation X has remained somewhat in the shadow, even though it largely maintains the operational continuity of companies“, says Tomasz Szklarski.
“Age is generally an uncomfortable topic that is often swept under the rug. Because if we start talking about it openly and studying it seriously, we will have to face it in a real way – barriers in promotions, fewer development investments after the age of 45, and entrenched patterns of thinking about careers“ the expert admits.
From diagnosis to concrete recommendations
The results of the GeeX study will be presented at the beginning of June this year. They are intended to become a starting point for concrete recommendations for business and public administration – regarding how to design work environments in conditions of an aging society and growing demographic pressure.
“We are entering a decade in which there will simply be fewer employees. This is already happening. In such a situation, ignoring the potential of Generation X is not a matter of image, but a risk to the stability of companies. If we do not start treating professional maturity seriously, in a few years we will be left with a competency gap that cannot be quickly filled. That is why GeeX was created – to check what people aged 45+ really need today, what motivates them, what burdens them, and what will make them want to stay in the labor market longer” summarizes Tomasz Szklarski.
See Also:
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How Polish companies are willingly getting rid of Generation X
