Generational Differences in the Workforce

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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

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American Generations

• 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.

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Greatest Generation 19111924

• Ages 82-95
• Events that Shaped Them
• World War II as adults
• Great Depression as adults

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Greatest Generation Worker characteristics

• Doers Strong work ethic
• Reliable
• Nurturing/Mentoring
• Willing to delegate

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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

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Silent GenerationWorker Characteristics

• Cautious, risk-averse
• Conformers
• Affluent
• 1938 Best year to be born

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Baby Boomers 19461964

• Ages 42-60
• Events that Shaped Them
• Civil Rights Movement
• Womens 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

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Baby BoomersWorker Characteristics

• Individualist
• Make a difference
• Perfectionist
• Micromanage
• High Achievers

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Generation X 1961-1981(Sub-generations MTV
Generation 19751985 Boomerang Generation
1981-1986)

• 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

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Generation XWorker characteristics

• Respect skills not credentials
• Willing to job shop
• Priorities in life shift
• Family
• Work

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Generation Y 1977-2003 (Sub-generations Echo
Boom 1986-1994 Internet Generation 19861999)

• 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

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Generation Y Worker characteristics

• Multi-tasking
• Interactive style
• Tolerant of diversity, multiculturalism,
  internationalism

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Generational DifferencesPlus

• Career Stage
• Individual Differences

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Career Stages

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

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Individual Differences

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

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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?

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Recommendations

• Respect
• Career Stage
• Individual Differences
• Generational Group