Challenges with a

Multi-

Generational

Workforce

“What is happening to our young people? They

disrespect their elders, they disobey their parents. They

ignore the law. They riot in the streets inflamed with wild

notions. Their morals are decaying. What is to become

of them?"

“Kids today…”

Plato, 5th Century BC

"I see no hope for the future of our people if they are

dependent on frivolous youth of today, for certainly all

youth are reckless beyond words ... When I was

young, we were taught to be discreet and respectful of

elders, but the present youth are exceedingly wise

[disrespectful] and impatient of restraint"

“Kids today…”

Hesiod, 8th Century BC

“Our Earth is degenerate in these later days;

there are signs that the world is speedily

coming to an end; bribery and corruption are

common; children no longer obey their

parents; every man wants to write a book and

the end of the world is evidently approaching.”

“Kids today…”

Assyrian Clay Tablet, 2800 BC

• A society-wide peer group, born over approximately a 20 year period, who collectively

posses a common persona.

• Generations are shaped by history and events, technological advances, social changes,

economic conditions, popular culture, etc.

• In general, members share beliefs, behaviors and a common location in history. They

also perceive themselves to be part of a common generation.

• However, individuals differ greatly within a generation!

• A generation is a group of people who were programmed at the same time in history.

What is a Generation?

% in the

Generation Birth Years Workforce

• Traditionalists 1922 – 1945 10%

(Matures, Silents)

• The Boomers 1943 – 1960 44%

(Baby Boomers)

• Generation Xers 1961 – 1980 34%

(Xers, Post Boomers, 13th)

• Generation Ys 1982 – 2000 12%

(Nexters, Millennials)

The Four Generations in the workplace

Cuspers

FIVE

1995 – Present

20% by 2020

• Which generation is most prevalent in your workplace?

• How balanced is your organization in terms of generations?

• What are the implications of this balance or imbalance?

• Is there a generational divide in your organization?

Questions….

• Questioning and challenging assumptions

• Avoid sweeping statements without recognizing the uniqueness of each

individual

• Make statements based on observations rather than generalizations

How do we avoid stereotyping?

• Baby Boomers make up one-third of the working U.S.

population.

• 8,000 Boomers are retiring every day and taking with

them the knowledge, skills, and occupational wisdom

they have gained over their careers.

• It takes an average of 8-10 years for a worker to

develop specific expertise

The Workforce of the Future…

The Workforce of the Future…

Older and younger workers are injured and killed much more often than other workers.

• The workforce in mining is expected to grow and diversify over the next 10 years

– Opportunities for exploration and production

– Retirement of veteran miners

• Labor needs are attracting younger workers who lack experience and represent a

change in culture

• A need exists for refined training approaches and the capture of veteran worker

experience

Generational Challenges

Demographic Challenges

• Diversity of:

– Generations

– National Cultures

– Regional Cultures

– Gender

– Religious beliefs

– Family values

• National Events

• Music

• Technology

• Values

• Relationships

• Parental Expectations

Each Generation is shaped by…

“The free access which many young people have to

romances, novels, and plays has poisoned the mind and

corrupted the morals of many a promising youth; and

prevented others from improving their minds in useful

knowledge. Parents take care to feed their children with

wholesome diet; and yet how unconcerned about the provision

for the mind, whether they are furnished with salutary food, or

with trash, chaff, or poison?”

“Kids today…”

Memoirs of the Bloomsgrove Family, Reverend Enos Hitchcock 1790

“The indecent foreign dance called the Waltz was

introduced ... at the English Court on Friday last ... It is

quite sufficient to cast one's eyes on the voluptuous

intertwining of the limbs, and close compressure of the

bodies ... to see that it is far indeed removed from the

modest reserve which has hitherto been considered

distinctive of English female…”

“Kids today…”

Times of London, 1816

Generational Awareness

Generational Awareness

Feedback & Communication Styles

Work Processes & Technology Focus

Business Etiquette

Dress & Grooming

Authority, Leadership and Hierarchy

Views about what is or is not respectful

Work Motivation & Rewards (work/life balance)

Differences between generations can be seen in….

• Around 35 million

• Conservative in dress and language

• Mediators

• Just fix problems, don’t talk about them

• Employment is a career

• Loyal (join service orgs.)

• Live to work

• “Traditional” American work ethic

• Disciplined and stable

Traditionalists (born 1922-1942))

• Largest generation in U.S. history – 76 million

• Want things their way

• Optimistic and confident

• Believe they make a difference

• Loyal to career, not companies

• Value affluence and image

• Value youth

• Identify with work

• Productivity oriented…willing to work hard

• Sacrifice for careers

• Value teamwork

• Good communication skills

Baby Boomers (born 1943-1960)

• 46 million – small generation

• Skeptical and questioning

• Value personal freedom

• First latchkey generation

• High tech users

• Informal

• Work to live…value work-life balance

• Loyal to people, not organizations

• Used to female authority

• Good at dealing with chaos and change

Generation X (born 1961-1981)

• 75 million

• Very confident

• Believe they will make a difference

• Over-protected generation

• Expect rewards for trying, not just succeeding

• Used to “do-overs”

• Very connected…technology has always been available

• Like to work in groups

• Expect promotions quickly

• Loyal to self

• Gender equality is a given

• Entitled

• Short attention spans

• Value autonomy & flexibility

Millennial Generation (born 1982-2000)

Generation Z (Born after 1995)

The Throwback GenerationCentennialsGen ZiGEN

• 73 Million

• Most Diverse generation

• Learn from online videos

• Already planning for retirement

• More private (online sharing, etc.)

• Most likely to “click-to-call” a business

• Much more traditional than millennials

• Gender/Racial equality is taken for granted

• Generation that generates (entrepreneurial)

• 77% earn own money

• Don’t remember 9/11

• Manage money very well (64% have own savings account)

• Short Attention Span (more likely to hang up on call if not answered right away)

Generation Z

• Work Ethic & Culture

• Organizational Structure

• Dealing with Change

• Managing Technology &

Communications

• Feedback

• Salary & Rewards

• Motivation

• Careers

Areas of Generational Collide in the Workplace

At Work…What Motivates Each Generation?

https://www.shrm.org/ResourcesAndTools/hr-topics/behavioral-competencies/global-and-cultural-effectiveness/Pages/Motivating-Generations-Infographic.aspx

"The world is passing through troublous times. The

young people of today think of nothing but themselves.

They have no reverence for parents or old age. They

are impatient of all restraint. They talk as if they knew

everything, and what passes for wisdom with us is

foolishness with them. As for the girls, they are

forward, immodest and unladylike in speech, behavior

and dress."

“Kids today…”

Peter the Hermit, 13th Century AD