Generational Differences in the Workforce

Jo Ann Lee, PhDDepartment of Psychology, UNCC

Career-banding Implementation and HR Innovations Conference

UNC-CharlotteCharlotte, NC

November 8, 2006

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.

Greatest Generation 1911–1924

Ages: 82-95 Events that Shaped Them

World War II as adults Great Depression as adults

Greatest Generation: Worker characteristics

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

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

Silent Generation:Worker Characteristics

Cautious, risk-averse Conformers Affluent

1938 Best year to be born

Baby Boomers 1946–1964 Ages: 42-60 Events that Shaped Them

Civil Rights Movement Women’s 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

Baby Boomers:Worker Characteristics

Individualist Make a difference Perfectionist Micromanage High Achievers

Generation X 1961-1981(Sub-generations: MTV Generation 1975–1985; 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

Generation X:Worker characteristics

Respect skills; not credentials Willing to job shop Priorities in life shift

Family Work

Generation Y 1977-2003

(Sub-generations: Echo Boom 1986-1994; Internet Generation 1986–1999)

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

Generation Y: Worker characteristics

Multi-tasking Interactive style Tolerant of diversity,

multiculturalism, internationalism

Generational Differences…Plus

Career Stage Individual Differences

Career Stages

First Stage -- Exploration Second Stage -- Establishment Third Stage

Maintenance Growth Stagnation

Individual Differences

Extraversion Openness to Experience Agreeableness Conscientiousness Emotional Stability

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?

Recommendations

Respect Career Stage Individual Differences Generational Group