Generational Differences in the Workplace Hamel Resources L

Generational Differences in the Workplace Hamel Resources, L. L. C. 10 Hawthorne Road | Lake George, NY 12845 P: (518) 761 -1220| www. hamelresources. com

Understanding Behavior “For many people, one of the most frustrating aspects of life is not being able to understand other people’s behavior. ” -Unknown

Talking ‘Bout My Generation

Veterans/Traditionalists/Matures: The Silent Generation § Born between before 1946 (over 70) § 4%* of the workforce § Built our infrastructure 40, 000 miles of interstate, dams, etc. § Over half are military veterans * Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections

Defining Moments • Great Depression, New Deal, Midwest Dustbowl • Crash of Wall Street markets • WW I, WW II, Korean War, Pearl Harbor, the atomic bomb

Silent Generation Values § Respect for authority, honor, country § Age=authority § Loyalty to the organization § Waste not, want not § Dedicated, self sacrificing work ethic § Duty before pleasure § Conformity, blending, unity, “we-first” § Law and order, adherence to rules

Baby Boomers § Born 1946 -1964 (52 to 70) § 30%* of the workforce * Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections

Defining Moments § Television § Vietnam / Draft / Kent State § Woodstock § Kennedy assassinations § Man on the moon § Civil Rights Movement § Beatlemania

Boomer Values § Consensus management § Competitive / workaholics § Think of their work as a career § They were born every 17 minutes for 20 years. With so many of them competing in the workforce, that they learned the value of being politically correct.

Gen X § Born 1965 to 1977 (39 to 51) § 23%* of the workforce § Half are women * Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections

Defining Moments § 3 mile island § Watergate § Challenger Disaster § Gulf War – Desert Storm § AIDS epidemic § MTV

Gen X Values § Independent & cynical – difficulty dealing with “political correctness” § Watched their parents get pink slips from organizations to whom they had been loyal and, therefore, mistrust the “system” § Question authority and demand respect be earned and not be based on titles or position

Gen X Employees § Less motivated by working with others unless it includes a social aspect with peers § Not inclined to take leadership roles resulting in loss of personal or professional time. They want to know what they will get for what they give. § Technically adept, clever, resourceful § Expect 24/7 news § Think of their work as a job, not a career

Gen Y/Millennials/Nexters § Born 1978 – 2000 (16 to 38) § 43%* of the workforce * Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections

Defining Moments § Oklahoma City bombing § Columbine § 9/11 § Enron § Katrina § Newtown § Social Media

Millennial/Gen Y Values § Live in the moment, the future is uncertain § Loyalty to individuals, not to organizations § Value patriotism and serving the community § Hopeful, determined, idealistic, sociable, talented, well-educated, collaborative, open minded

Gen Y Common Themes § Life is the global internet with international e-pals and instant messaging; comfortable in a racially/ethnically diverse world § Began multi-tasking early in life § Over programmed, overstressed, rising expectations for extracurricular activities § Many use the computer 24/7 and are sleep deprived

Millennial Employees § Motivated by desire to change the world § Believe in civic involvement § Equality with older or more experienced workers is important § Have a sense of individuality and uniqueness § Need a safe place to learn new skills § Desire balance of life/work

What’s Next?

Gen C/Gen Z/Gen 2020 § Born after 2000 § Entering the workforce within 2 years § Grew up online § Digital natives; hyper connected § 23 M – and growing

Talking ‘Bout My Generation

Final Thought Different is not bad – It’s just different.

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