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Generational Diversity

Generational Diversity. Session Objectives. Define generational diversity Identify the different generations Understand differences among generations Appreciate the impact of generational diversity Use knowledge of generational diversity to improve supervision of all employees.

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Generational Diversity

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  1. Generational Diversity

  2. Session Objectives • Define generational diversity • Identify the different generations • Understand differences among generations • Appreciate the impact of generational diversity • Use knowledge of generational diversity to improve supervision of all employees

  3. Diversity and the Workplace • The workforce is diverse in many ways • Generational diversity focuses on differences based on the generation in which an employee grew up • A generation is about 20 years • There are four generations in today’s workforce

  4. The Generations Matures born before 1945 Baby Boomers born 1945-1960 Generation Xers born 1961-1980 Millennials born 1981-2000

  5. Caution • Generation is only one factor • Some people have more in common with the next generation • Avoid stereotyping employees

  6. Formative Influences: Matures RadioDepression andNew Deal World War II Korean War Depressionand New Deal Korean War World War II Radio

  7. Formative Influences: Boomers • Television • Cold War and nuclear weapons • Civil rights • Kennedy and King assassinations • Vietnam War • Sexual revolution, music and drug culture • Space travel and environmental concerns Sexual revolution, music and drug culture Space travel and environmental concerns Kennedy and King assassinations Cold War and nuclear weapons Vietnam War Television Civil rights

  8. Formative Influences:Xers • Computers • Women’s liberation • Watergate, end of Vietnam War, and energy crisis • Hostages in Iran, war and peace in the Middle East • Reagan era • Yuppies and the age of excess • Computers • Women’s liberation • Watergate, end of Vietnam War, and energy crisis • Hostages in Iran, war and peace in the Middle East • Reagan era • Yuppies and the age of excess Watergate, end of Vietnam War, and energy crisis Hostages in Iran, war and peace in the Middle East Yuppies and the age of excess Women’s liberation Computers Reagan era

  9. Formative Influences: Millennials • Internet, cell phones, computers at home • Iraq wars and other military actions • Fall of Communism in Europe and removal of Berlin Wall • Terrorism (Oklahoma City and 9/11) • School shootings • Economic prosperity at home in the 90s and early 2000s Internet, cell phones,computers at home Iraq wars and other military actions Fall of communism in Europe and removal of Berlin Wall Economic prosperity at home in the 90s and early 2000s Terrorism—Oklahoma City and 9/11 School shootings

  10. AttributesandAttitudes: Matures • Work ethic, loyalty, and dedication • Responsibility, duty, and sacrifice • Respect for authority and rules • Willing to “pay their dues” to get ahead • Job for life

  11. Attributes and Attitudes: Boomers • Rights • Believing in change and possibilities • Career and personal growth • Self-gratification and self-interest • Teamwork and participation

  12. Attributes and Attitudes: Xers • Independence, self-reliance • Pragmatism • Growth oriented • Comfortable with technology • Need challenges • Value flexibility

  13. Attributes and Attitudes: Millennials • Confidence • Optimism • Wired to technology • Multitaskers • Respectful of diversity

  14. Current Concerns: Matures • Keep working as long as possible • Retirement • Healthcare benefits • Remaining active after retirement • Earning extra money after retirement

  15. Current Concerns: Boomers • Healthcare benefits • Saving for retirement • Keeping up with workplace changes • Maintaining status and position • Enjoying more leisure time

  16. Current Concerns: Xers • Advancement and raises • Achievement and recognition • Job security • Healthcare benefits for children and spouse

  17. Current Concerns: Millennials • Learning about the job and the organization • Raises • Career opportunities • Recognition • Respect

  18. Who’s Who in the Generations: Match Game Matures 1981-2000 Baby Boomers Pre-1945 Generation Xers 1945-1960 Millennials 1961-1980

  19. Who’s Who in the Generations • Do you understand: • What generational diversity is about? • Generational divisions in today’s workplace? • Formative influences of each generation? • Attributes and attitudes of the generations? • Concerns of different generations in the workforce?

  20. Age Discrimination and Generational Diversity • Illegal to discriminate against employees 40 or older • Older employees have the same rights as younger workers • Avoid marginalizing or making assumptions • Make employment decisions objectively

  21. Communicate with all employees regularly Understand generational differences Communication • Use language and references you know • Listen carefully • Help employees communicate with one another

  22. Feedback “I need lots and right away” “What did you expect?” How am I doing?” “A couple of times a year’s good”

  23. Costs of Communication Failures • Morale problems and conflict • Higher turnover • Increased recruitment, hiring, and training costs • More complaints and grievances • More disciplinary problems • Morale problems and conflict • Higher turnover • Increased recruitment, hiring, and training costs • More complaints and grievances • More disciplinary problems

  24. Teamwork • Reflect generational diversity in work teams • Teach team members to value differences • Support and encourage work relationships • Teach conflict resolution methods

  25. Motivation • Employees respond to different motivators • Maintain high standards for all workers • Recognize and reward achievement • Provide opportunities for all • Emphasize performance goals

  26. Training and Development • Assess group and individual training needs • Be sure all employees get training • Use techniques that appeal to all • Ask older workers to help train • Help all employees learn, grow, and develop

  27. Supervising Generational Diversity:True or False? It’s illegal to discriminate against employees aged 40 or older Employees of all generations respond to the same motivators Only Generation Xers and Millennials need feedback The most effective teams are composed of employees all from one generation

  28. Supervising Generational Diversity • Do you understand: • Effective communication requirements? • Feedback needs of different generations? • Teamwork and generational diversity? • Motivating employees of all generations? • Training and development for all employees?

  29. Key Points to Remember Key Points to Remember Generational diversity has an impact on how you supervise employees Generation is only one factor affecting employee attitudes and behavior Avoid stereotyping employees based on generational affiliation Take action to provide effective supervision for employees of all ages and abilities

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