Sodexo tackles generational differences with employee network

Sodexo has launched an employee network to raise awareness of generational differences in the workplace.

Sodexo's Generations network supports employees in understanding the personal and professional development needs of four groups - Traditionalists, Baby Boomers, Generation X and Generation Y.

To mark its launch, Sodexo has devised the GenMatch Game, an informal way for Sodexo employees to start learning about the different generations and each other's experiences.

Around 2,000 sets of the GenMatch Game are being delivered to Sodexo teams across the UK and Ireland.

Generations is one of six areas Sodexo is focusing on as part of its approach to diversity and inclusion. It becomes Sodexo's second employee network after the launch of Women Work in 2008, which strives to achieve gender balance in the business.

Sean Haley, managing director of service operations and executive sponsor of the Generations network, said it is employees in their twenties who are least engaged and the initiative is designed to encourage different generations to learn from one another.

Sodexo employs and serves a broad spectrum of people in a diverse range of workplaces such as stadia, prisons, hospitals, schools, universities, barracks and offices," he explained. "It's important we recognise everyone's background and values to help us give our employees a rewarding career and support them in delivering the best service to our clients and customers.

"As many of our employees are based on a diverse range of client sites the GenMatch Game has been designed in a short format to be played in a relaxed environment to get people talking and thinking about the differences in the four generational groups."