managing four generations in the workplace

Managing Four Generations in the Workplace

By: Melissa Hawkins, Brenda Mummert, and Colleen Nestruck

The 4 Generations

• Why does it matter?• What is a ”Generation”• The Four Generations• Characteristics• Workplace Characteristics• Managing Workplace Generations• Whats to come• Conclusion• Questions• References

Objectives

Managing Multiple GenerationsThe Effect on the Workplace

Get a life!He wants feedback,

what the heck is that?

They have no work ethic

It’s 5:00, I’m out of here!

You’re right, but I’m the boss!

Just do your job!

No!I remember when…

The kid wants a promotion after six months on the job!

• 1st time in history 4 generations in workplace at same time

• Different Work ethics• Different Values• = Conflict in the workplace

Why does it Matter?

“group of contemporaries: all of the people who were born at approximately the same time, considered as a group, and especially when considered as having shared interests and attitudes”.

(English Dictionary, 2011 )

What is a “Generation”?

The “4” Generations

• Generation “X”• Generation “Y” Millennial

• Baby Boomers• Veterans, Traditionalists, Silent, Matures

1922-1945

1946-1964

1965-1980

1981-2000

Characteristics

• Great Depression &WWII• Respect for authority• Conformers• Disciplined• Patriotic• Conservative

Veterans, Traditionalist, Silent, Matures (1922-1945)

• Nuclear Family• Education was a dream• Rotary Phones• Put cash away for later• Paid in cash• Delayed gratification• Duty, honor & country

Characteristics - (continued)Veterans, Traditionalist, Silent

CharacteristicsBaby Boomers (1946-1964)

• Civil Rights Movement • Vietnam War• Positive about the future• Involvement• Rebels• Hippies• Believed nothing was impossible

• Security Stability• Education was a birthright• Touch tone phones• Buy now, pay later

Characteristics - (continued)Baby Boomers

• Skeptical • Asks the question “why”• Living Life• Relaxed and casual• Economic downturn of the 80s/90s• Latch-key-kids• Raised in single Parent homes

CharacteristicsGeneration X (1965-1980)

• Education-a way to get there• Cell Phones• Cautious with money• Save, save, save• Looks toward the future

Characteristics – (continued)Generation X

• Practical understanding of life• Confident• Likes to have fun• Social• Merged families• September 11th

CharacteristicsGeneration Y (1981-2000)

• Education is expensive• Internet• Picture Phones• E-mail• Earn money to spend money

Characteristics – (continued)Generation Y “Millennial”

• Hard working• “Just git’er done”• Punctual & never miss work• Respect Authority• Obey Rules• Work before fun

Workplace CharacteristicsVeterans

• Workaholics• “Work-til-you-drop”• Personal fulfillment• Desire quality• Sacrifice personal life to achieve

professional goals• Work for 1 employer all their lives

Workplace CharacteristicsBaby Boomers

• Eliminate tasks• Self-reliant• Want structure and direction• Skeptical• Opt for quality of life instead of careers• Want to know “why”• See work as a challenge/contract

Work CharacteristicsGeneration X

• What’s next• Multitasking• Sticks firm to a decision• Goal oriented• Tolerant• See work as a means to an end

Work CharacteristicsGeneration Y

• Recruiting• Building Teams• Dealing with Change• Motivating• Managing• Maintaining and Increasing Productivity• Communication

Managing Multiple GenerationsThe Effect on the Workplace

• Veterans—Individual, one on one, formal memo• Baby Boomers—Loves meetings, in-person• Generation X—Initiates communication,

Electronic communication• Generation Y—Participative, Techno device-

texting

Managing Multiple GenerationsInteractive Style

• Veterans—Formal or memo’s• Baby Boomers—In person• Generation X—Direct or immediate• Generation Y—E-mail, Social media, voice

mail, and instant message

Managing Multiple GenerationsCommunication Style

• Veterans– Respect for

authority– Integrity– Delayed gratification– Duty & honor &

country

• Baby Boomers– Security & stability– Optimism – Hardworking– Team player

Managing Multiple Generations Generational Values

• Generation X– Family – Living life

• Generation Y– Connectivity – Respect diversity– Want to make a difference

Managing Multiple Generations Generational Values (continued)

• Veterans– No news is good news– Satisfaction is a job well done

• Baby Boomers– Don’t appreciate it– Wants money and Title Recognition

Managing Multiple GenerationsFeedback and Rewards

• Generation X– Constantly wants to know “how am I doing”?– Freedom is the best reward

• Generation Y– Gives feedback how ever they want– Wants feedback at the push of a button– Rewards come with meaningful work

Managing Multiple GenerationsFeedback and Rewards (continued)

• Veterans—need to hear that their experiences are respected!

• Baby Boomers—need to hear you are valued and needed!

• Generation X—wants to hear “do it your way”, “forget the rules”!

• Generation Y—needs to hear that they are bright and will work with others like them!

Managing Multiple GenerationsMessages that Motivate

• Create function & project oriented assignments• Watch your communication• Listen• Look beyond appearances• Keep an open mind• Deal with changing work/life expectations• Consider individual needs• Emphasize commonalities & strengths and use those

as resources• Honor each person’s contributions

How do you make Everyone Get Along?

What’s to come5-Generations in the workplace

• Know as Generation 9/11• Grown up with war• See things through a lens due to

9/11• View the world with less

optimism

• Not going to change because new generation will be entering work force

• People are living longer and working longer• To be successful businesses need to recognize

the strengths of each generation and use those to their advantages

Conclusion

Your Logo

Bloomberg Business Week. (2008). Generations in the Workplace. Retrieved from: http://www. Businessweek.com.

Brown, D. (2003). Understanding four generations in the workplace. Fort Worth Business Press, 16(25), 11. Retrieved from

EBSCOhost.

CPA Trendlines. (2010). Four Generations in the Workplace: Who Are They? What Do They Want? Retrieved from:

http://CPATrendlines.com.

De Meuse, K. P., & Mlodzik, K. J. (2010). A Second Look at Generational Differences in the Workforce: Implications for HR and

Talent Management. People & Strategy, 33(2), 50-58. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

Generations: Moving Through Time. (Cover story). (2011). Clinician Reviews, 21(1), 1-26. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

Hall, J. R. (2007). Understanding Employees Is a Generational Thing. Air Conditioning Heating & Refrigeration News, 230(10),

22. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

Hammill, G. (2005) Mixing and managing four generations of employees. FDU Magazine Online. Retrieved from

http://www.fdu.edu/newspubs/magazine/05ws/generations.htm

Hastings, R. R. (2008). Silent Generation Speaks Up About Work. HRMagazine, 53(9), 30. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

Herbison, G., & Boseman, G. (2009). Here They Come-Generation Y. Are You Ready?. Journal of Financial Service

Professionals, 63(3), 33-34. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

References

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References continued