I believe that all four of the generations in the work place can work together without having any conflicts. Many professional facilities and companies have people of different age groups working together in the same field. There are many articles written by different people who say that studies show that there are many conflicts between the generations, while working together. The four different types of generations are the veterans, the baby boomers, the generation X, and the generation Y. I will talk of all their important characteristics and compare and contrast their qualities based on work ethics, education, and multi-tasking.
First of all, “the oldest generation in the work place is the veterans”. (Tanner, 2011) They were born between the years of 1922 and 1943. They are also known by different names, some of these are: “greatest generation, loyalists, and the traditionalists”. (Tanner, 2011) People that were born in this generation lived through the great depression and even World War II. “As a result, this generation values sacrifice, hard work, conformity to rules, and respect for authority”. (Tanner, 2011) The veterans are also very loyal to their employers. The veterans are very big believers in the fact that whatever you do, is what you get out of life. They also believe that “rewards, status, respect, and authority must be earned”. (Tanner, 2011) Studies have shown that to work most efficient with veterans, make sure that you show them that you admire their experience and respect their thoughts and “norms of courteous behavior”. (Tanner, 2011)
“The second oldest generation in the work place is the baby boomers”. (Tanner, 2011) This generation was born between the years of 1943 and 1960. The baby boome...
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...r people say that the older generations just want plain obedience. In reality “everyone wants to be heard, have input and be respect.” (Mueller, 2011) Some older generations complain of Millenials. They say that they just expect to be praised or rewarded just for showing up at work. It is absolutely important to remember that “generational differences don’t replace individual differences” (Mueller, 2011). It is important for every manager to conduct an interview before hiring any worker. There, the manager can explain to the employee what he is expected to do on the job and also the employee can have the opportunity to ask any questions he may have on the position he is assuming. I really believe that every one of these four generations can work together effectively with just a little patience, respect, and open-mindedness.
How many generations do you work with?
In the article “Why Your Office Needs More Bratty Millennials”, the author Emily Matchar expresses a variety of reasons why the new generation in the workforce (millennials) needs to have their voices heard. She uses different terms to discuss this generation of workers, including Generation Y, another common name for millennials. Matchar’s exposition of why millennials are changing the workplace is broken down into specific points. She references the declining job market and why, due to circumstance, it is hard for millennials to get jobs as it is. Moreover, millennials are now pushing for a “customizable” workplace, such as being able to set their own hours. It appears that Generation Y is executing the wishes that other generations of workers subdue, and are subsequently portrayed as a vocal group by default. As a result of millennials’ demands, various companies are now beginning to conform to the ideas this generation presents. As such, new policies are being implemented,
Boomer’s see millennial’s as having a short attention span which is not what millennial’s intend. If they don’t see a job working out, they are faster to jump ship than Boomer’s and that fearless attitude actually leverages them more power with their company. Sherry Buffington, co-author of Exciting Oz: How the New American Workforce Is Changing the Face of Business Forever and What Companies Must Do to Thrive, says that they have the upper hand because they are perfectly fine working dozens of different jobs in their lifetime. “In a survey conducted by IdeaPaint of 600 employed Millennials, 49 percent believe that poor management is dragging their company down; 45 percent attribute that to the lack or misuse of technology solutions.” (Avallon) This helps the reader to better understand the mentality of millennial’s. They are typically more tech savvy then their older bosses and feel they could make more of an impact if they were in charge. Millennial’s are hard-wired to think that time really is their most important resource. If they feel they aren’t being treated completely fair then they won’t hesitate about trying to find a new
boomers take their knowledge and skills with them as they face retirement. As of now
The times have changed, and with them, the customs. Generations of Americans, each with unique cultural influences and identities, have risen and aged over the course of America’s history. The latest generation, in particular, is the product of the past generation’s reforms in civil and individual rights. The Millennials are vastly different from past generations and they are also markedly unalike each other. The conduct of the 21st century contrasts sharply with the lifestyles of the 80s and the 90s, never mind the decades before those. This conduct is the product of innovations in technology that have also led to a heightened sense of both security and insecurity, and therefore have led to a new mentality that is set to the tune of control and regulation.
This spoiled generation has hit a wall called life and is currently trying to find a way to get over it. The workplace has been a brutal environment for generations now. The millennials, also known as Generation Y, are not the first generation to want change in the workplace, but they are the first ones to be brave enough to step up and place their demands over their own job. The millennials shouldn’t be criticized, they should be admired by every other worker in the workplace. Matchar supports the addition of millennials, but added negative connotation in her article about them.
...rokaw showed, the Greatest Generation modern generation have different work ethics that have been developed by their capacity of work and lifestyle, “Every generation is a reflection of the times it has lived through” (Brokaw 276). The Greatest Generation and the modern generation are two distinct eras. The Greatest Generation suffered through the Great Depression, but they did not let it interfere with completing their work. The Greatest Generation portrayed strong work ethic and attributes. The Greatest Generation is known for their ability to confront and overcome as well as their straight and hard work. Modern generation has a society that is easier, yet their commitment to the work is what is more valuable. Each generation has its own qualities and hardships, but both of them influence work that can be rewarded. Work ethic is changed over time with experience.
When discussing each generational cohort, it is important to note that each generation lives through a “shared set of social and historical events that help form their attitudes, values, and beliefs” and Veterans, in particular, experienced several hardships (Fore, 2013). Veterans exhibit the “highest degree of respect for authority, they are loyal, and patriotic, and living through the Great Depression made them more fiscally conservative” (Fore, 2013). Many of these workers reached adulthood during or immediately following the Great Depression and two world wars. Because of growing up during such historically-significant events, “Veterans’ socialization was based on values built on structure, defined roles and responsibility, patriotism,
Workers are often pitted against each other in the work place as a form of competition. One division that is commonly seen is gender and race, but there is also a divide concerning age that isn’t discussed as frequently. Baby Boomers are those who was born between 1946-1964, when WWII soldiers came back home, settled down and started the “Baby Boom”. While Millennials are those born around 1981-2000, and have a similar population size as Baby Boomers. In the workplace, Millennials are categorized as being bad workers due to how they were raised in sheltered lifestyles and require a different environment than the previous generation, but that is not accurate. Even though the two generations view work different, sometimes to the point of conflict,
...ll about what is right, and good for the whole company not just themselves. Young people have preconceived ideas that older people are stuck in the past and they do not want to listen to how things used to be done. As well, the older worker thinks that the new ways are a waste of time and money and they want to stick with what is tried and true.
The focus of this paper is to elaborate on the changing landscape of work in America during the twenty-first century. According to the researchers, as the economy continues to slowly recover from the recession and economic crisis, more of our baby boomers are reentering the workforce. In addition to the introduction of automation and computer technologies into the workplace, this has dramatically changed the nature of jobs for the older workers (Czaja and Sharit 2009). As stated in the Government Accountability Office in 2006, the number of workers over age 55 is projected to increase significantly over the next 20 years. Evidence shows that ageism, stereotypes, and misinformation about our older population continue to be major issues across
Baby Boomers are the most powerful demographic group in history. Businesses thrives or fails based on their ability to keep pace with the likes and dislikes of this economic powerhouse known as the baby boomers. At 76 million strong, boomers have the influence to rule the marketplace and make sure they keep a place set just for them as the
Every person belongs to a generation: you associate yourselves with a particular set of people usually based on age such as “Baby Boomers” from 1946 to 1964, “Generation X” from 1965 to 1979, and “Millennials” from 1980 to 2000, (Smola, 364). Parents’ generations differ from their children, and sometimes within their significant other. My parents, separated by two years, are both considered “Baby Boomers”, and my sister and I, also separated by two years are both considered “Millennials”. “Generation X” separates our generations, and as you can assume there are many differences between the two: “Baby Boomers” experienced the immense development of the economy and education (Kupperschmidt, 4).
...The importance of the generational mix within an organisation is that it brings about inclusivity and helps generate new innovative ideas that could bring the organisation to its sustained competitive advantage. With each age group with its expectations by interacting with one another, there is knowledge and experience exchange.
For the first time in history, there are four generations of people working side by side in the workplace. Think about your place employment and the different people who work there. It is sometimes hard to get your point across to someone in a different age generation. This especially becomes a problem in the supervisor employee relationship. In order to effectively communicate with your peers, you have to understand the context in which they view the world. This problem is a real concern for managers. There has even been a Center for Generational Studies created.
Zemke, Ron. (2013). Generations at Work: Managing the Clash of Boomers, Gen Xers & Gen Yers in the workplace. Edition #2.