Understanding how different age groups look at the workplace

1. Four Generations at Work

2. Born Into Different
Perspectives
1920s 1940s 1960s 1980s
Traditionalists
Baby Boomers
Generation X
Millennials

3. Landmark Events: Traditionalists
1932 1936 1942 1951
The Depression
New Deal
World War II
Korean War

4. Landmark Events: Baby Boomers
1950 1956 1964 1968
The Cold War
Civil Rights
The Beatles
Assassinations

5. Landmark Events: Generation X
1973 1975 1989 1992
Watergate
Women’s Lib
Berlin Wall Falls
Desert Storm

6. Landmark Events: Generation X
1973
1985 1975
1997 1989
1999 1992
2001
Watergate Clinton /
Lewinsky
Women’s Lib
Columbine
Berin Wall Falls
Desert Storm
September 11

7. Four Sets of Values
Traditionalists Baby Boomers Generation X Millennials

8. Traditionalist Values
• Dedication and sacrifice
• Duty before pleasure
• Respect for rules
• Hard work
• Honor

9. Baby Boomer Values
• Personal gratification
• Team orientation
• Personal growth
• Involvement
• Optimism

10. Generation X Values
• Fun and informality
• Techno literacy
• Self-reliance
• Pragmatism
• Diversity
Apple®

11. Millennial Values
• Achievement-oriented
• Respect for diversity
• Confident
• Optimistic
• Civic duty

12. Impact of poor communications
between generations
Increased:
• Turnover
• Grievances • Morale issues
• Costs of hiring, training, retention

13. Feedback Preferences
“No news is “Feedback “Sorry to “Feedback
good once a year interrupt, whenever I
news.” with lots of but how am want, at the
documenting.” I doing?” push of a
button.”
Traditionalists
Baby Boomers
Generation X
Millennials