Beginning in the 1980s in America, we had four (now soon to be five) distinct generations working side-by-side in the workplace. Here is a quick reference chart for employers on the generations currently in the workplace and their core values:
- Veterans (b. 1922-1945)
- Boomers (b. 1946-1964)
- Generation X (b. 1965-1980)
- Generation Y (b. 1981-2000)
- Generation Z (2001 and after) – not yet in the workplace but coming soon!
|
Lifestyle Characteristics by Generation |
|
|||
|
|
Veterans |
Baby Boomers |
Generation X |
Generation Y |
|
Major Cultural Events |
World War II Great Depression The New Deal |
Vietnam War Civil Rights Movement Woodstock |
AIDS epidemic Internet revolution MTV |
Columbine 9/11 2004 Presidential Election |
|
General Qualities |
Straightforward Thorough Reluctant to change Uncomfortable with conflict |
Desire to please Service-oriented Social Driven |
Adaptable Independent Creative Openly speak opinions |
Multi-taskers Tolerant Tenacious Highly involved |
|
Core Values |
|
|
|
|
|
Communication |
Formal Memo |
In-person Telephone |
Direct Immediate |
Limited In-person Texting Social Media |
|
Work Ethic |
Hard work Respect authority Duty Adhere to rules and policy |
Workaholics Question authority Driven to succeed Team player |
Work-life balance Self-reliant Entrepreneurial Telecommuting OK |
Looking for meaning Dedicated Goal-oriented Desire to ‘do it all’ |
|
Working With Others |
Independent but value working well with others |
Care deeply what others think Team-oriented |
Prefer to work alone |
Prefer small groups |
Reference: Millennial Myth Busting, By Ann Clark CEO and Founder of San Diego-based ACI Specialty Benefits,Wednesday, March 27, 2013, HR Dailly Advisor
