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

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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.

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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.

 

 

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References continued