Generational Differences in the Workforce

Generational Differences in the Workforce Jo Ann Lee, PhD Department of Psychology, UNCC Career-banding Implementation and HR Innovations Conference UNC-Charlotte Charlotte, NC November 8, 2006

AmericanGenerations • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_generations • Generations are brief periods of time that are connected with pop cultures throughout the world. Many characteristics of these generations are the music, fads, inventions, and wars specific to each period of time. Each generation is categorized by the general birth years of the people within the generation.

Greatest Generation1911–1924 • Ages: 82-95 • Events that Shaped Them • World War II as adults • Great Depression as adults

Greatest Generation: Worker characteristics • Doers – Strong work ethic • Reliable • Nurturing/Mentoring • Willing to delegate

Silent Generation 1925-1945 • Ages: 61-81 • Neglected, forgotten • Events that Shaped Them • World War II as children • Korean War as adults • Trends • Marry at young age • Fragmented families • Prolific litigation

Silent Generation:Worker Characteristics • Cautious, risk-averse • Conformers • Affluent • 1938 Best year to be born

Baby Boomers 1946–1964 • Ages: 42-60 • Events that Shaped Them • Civil Rights Movement • Women’s Liberation Movement • Vietnam War • Moon Landing • Assassination of JFK • Trends • Motown Sound, The Beatles • Hippies • The Draft • Low unemployment • Boomers accuse Generation Xers of being slackers

Baby Boomers:Worker Characteristics • Individualist • Make a difference • Perfectionist • Micromanage • High Achievers

Generation X 1961-1981(Sub-generations: MTV Generation 1975–1985; Boomerang Generation1981-1986) • Ages: 25-45 • Events that Shaped Them • Oil crisis of 1973 • End of the Cold War • HIV-AIDs epidemic • Trends • Corporate down-sizing • Environmental Movement • State budget cuts • Gen Xers accuse Boomers of greed mentality

Generation X:Worker characteristics • Respect skills; not credentials • Willing to job shop • Priorities in life shift • Family • Work

Generation Y 1977-2003(Sub-generations: Echo Boom 1986-1994; Internet Generation 1986–1999) • Ages: 3-29 • Events that Shaped Them • Fall of the Soviet Union • First Gulf War • Rise of Information Age/Internet • Trends • Share social views of Boomers • Share culture with Generation X

Generation Y: Worker characteristics • Multi-tasking • Interactive style • Tolerant of diversity, multiculturalism, internationalism

Generational Differences…Plus • Career Stage • Individual Differences

Career Stages • First Stage -- Exploration • Second Stage -- Establishment • Third Stage • Maintenance • Growth • Stagnation

Individual Differences • Extraversion • Openness to Experience • Agreeableness • Conscientiousness • Emotional Stability

Hypothetical Scenario • A supervisor has had additional responsibilities added to his/her plate and must delegate some of the overflow to his/her staff. • The supervisor presents this problem to staff for their input. • How will the different types of workers respond?

Recommendations • Respect • Career Stage • Individual Differences • Generational Group

Generational Differences in the Workforce