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My colleague, Robin Throckmorton, and I decided to conduct some follow-up research to an initial survey I conducted in 2000-01. I asked members of each of the four generations in the workplace today (Generation Y, Generation X, Baby Boomers, and Radio Babies) five questions. Have a look at the responses, and especially the ones to question #5, “What do you want other generations to know and understand about your age group, in order to dispel common misperceptions?”

1. What factors shaped your perspective most when you were growing up?

Across all age groups, the critical factors that most shaped respondents’ perspectives were (in descending order):

• Influence of parents and family

• Influence of friends and peers

• Religion and church experiences

• Influence of teachers

• Managers and supervisors

2. What entices you to join an organization?

Across all age groups, the most important features were (in descending order):

• Mission, Values, Ethics

• Pay and Benefit Package

• Challenge and Interesting Work

• Opportunity for Career Development

3. What compels you to stay with an organization?

Across all age groups, the most compelling factors were:

• Challenge (the work itself: interest and variety)

• Being treated with respect by managers and coworkers

• Ethical organization

• Baby Boomers and Radio Babies: Recognition and Making a Contribution

• Generation X and Y: Work-Life Balance and Pay/Benefit Structure

4. What characteristics of other generations in the workplace bother you most?

Generation X and Y (what bothers them about older generations):

• Too rigid and unwilling to change old habits

• They reminisce too much about “the old days”

• Expect everyone to “pay their dues” in years, not expertise

• Baby Boomers and Radio Babies (what bothers them about younger generations):

  • Poor work ethic (coming in on time; doing quality work)

  • No sense of customer service – too self centered – “it’s all about me”

  • Expect too much without earning it: sense of entitlement

5. What do you want other generations to know and understand about your age group in order to dispel common misconceptions?

Generation Y and Generation X want to dispel these perceptions:

• We aren’t serious if we’re not dressed in a suit or if we want to laugh sometimes

• We don’t have a work ethic just because we want time with our family

• We can’t contribute if we don’t have years behind us

• We’re job hoppers just for the excitement of moving around (we’d stay in one place if companies offered jobs/benefits/pay we need)

• Baby Boomers and Radio Babies want to Generations X and Y to know:

  • Teamwork is necessary to do a quality job; you can’t always be a star

  • Older workers are open to change and willing to be flexible

  • We’re willing to stay with a company through good AND bad times

  • Experience and savvy come usually with years, not a college degree

  • You can’t always get what you want

For additional information about working with members of different generations, contact Linda Gravett at Linda@gravett.com or (513) 753-8870.

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