Clash of the Generations

Appendix ECASE STUDY ‐ TECT CORPORATION

• Website: www.tectcorp.com
• Locations: Based in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky, with other locations in Kansas, Washington, Ohio, California, Georgia, and New York
• Founded: 1995
• Total employees: 1,300; 25 percent are salaried, 75 percent are hourly, 100 percent within the United States
• Employee demographics: 42 percent Traditionalists and Boomers, 37 percent Generation Xers, and 21 percent Millennials
• What it does: Aerospace manufacturing
• Interviewee: Scott Slocum—Organizational Development Manager

BACKGROUND

With so many of the company's hourly employees nearing retirement age, Slocum recognizes the challenge of preparing for succession planning “before all that knowledge walks out the door.” Several leadership and mentoring programs are paving the way for the next generation to step into the roles soon to be vacated by their older peers.

On the positive side, the wide spectrum of ages has made for an inclusive work environment, with engaged employees who go the extra mile to be helpful. Slocum notes that, although in most companies new employees tend to band together, that's not as common at TECT, where bonds are formed more on the basis of personalities rather than company tenure or age group. The diverse staff also makes for a more interesting workplace, he says.

RECRUITMENT

In response to the company's desire to provide a more supportive welcome, Slocum describes the onboarding process TECT has implemented over the past several years: ...