The Pongo Blog
The Workplace is No Place for a Generational Divide
November 22, 2010 (11:15AM) by Rick Saia, CPRW
I read a controversial blog post last week that was likely intended to rile up readers more than make a point. The idea the writer wanted to force feed to older readers was that any work task they can do, a 20-something member of Gen Y can do better.
The post riled up enough people that more than 200 readers registered comments as of Friday afternoon. Taken as a whole, they weren't pretty.
The writer made the following assertions:
- Gen Y is more productive because they can gather information faster.
- Gen Y is better at communicating.
- Gen Y has better career mobility (i.e., they're more adept at job hopping) while Baby Boomers aren't as comfortable with it.
- Gen Y turns to entrepreneurship when the going gets tough in the job market, even if it means moving back home with their Baby Boomer parents.
Well, I'll add my comment to all this right here: What a load of generalized, stereotypical horse dung!
If it were taken as fact, then - what the heck - let's stop the world from spinning right now and kick all the Boomers into orbit! Work will be so much better for everyone with staff flitting around from job to job, everyone conducting job interviews via email or texting, and giving birth to lots of new small companies while their "CEOs" text mom and dad with their stellar communication skills: "YO RENTS: WENZ DINR 2NITE?" (Of course, it'll be hard for the ‘rents to respond since they'll be floating somewhere above the ozone layer.)
To quote Rodney King, "Can't we all just get along?" Our society is polarized enough with political viewpoints. We don't need to feel segregated and polarized in the workplace as well. For instance, the writer boasts of Gen Y's superior command of technology, as if Gen Xers and Boomers scream in horror every time they see a laptop or an iPhone.
If only the generational divide were that clear-cut. But it's not. While I've seen Gen Yers who are not as addicted to technology as others, I've also seen Gen Xers and Boomers who are as technologically with it, if not even more so. The better message should be how each generation can learn from the others. So, here's how I would rewrite those four assertions:
- Gen Y is more adept at using information technology, and can teach their older colleagues how to use it better.
- Gen Y can communicate, but communication can only be effective if you can be clear with everyone, no matter how old they are. At the same time, Boomers can communicate the wisdom of work that comes with age and experience.
- Gen Y may have better career mobility now, but when they settle down and start families as they age, they'll want more stability - just like their parents do today.
- When the going gets tough in the job market, you do what you gotta do, even it means starting your own business. Just be sure you can pay the rent or mortgage while you're in the startup phase.
Do you see a "generational divide" in your workplace? Or does everyone work with each other effectively? Tell us about it in a comment below.
RELATED LINKS
Over 40? Under 30? How to Fight Age Stereotypes
Gen Y Ushers in Promise of a Better Workforce
How Often is Too Often to Change Jobs?
Let me just say this, I AM A GEN X'ER, and just to educate the younger generation, we are also known as: TOY'S R US KIDS....and we earned that title! We are the generation of technology...we are the rebels of the 70's, 80's through today even! We had to have every new toy and gaget made. Please dont try to "educate" us about technology...if it werent for our "technology", YOU wouldnt be here! So, learn to live with it. We are here for a lot longer and it is what it is... Move out of mommy and daddy's house and get your own place. its time to grow up! signed, the ole' bag
Posted by: Keilah | November 22, 2010 at 8:59 PM | Quote This Comment
OK, now I am feeling really old! I am at the tail end of the Boomer's, have a great job and enjoy working with all the generations out there. With the economy the way it is we have to work and will be working for a very long time so as Rick quoted above "Can't we all just get along?" We the Boomers and 40 somethings are not the ones taking time off to have babies or get married. We've been there done that and are a lot more stable in the workplace (my opinion), we don't call in sick because our kid "has a runny nose or fever". The Gen Y's can learn a lot from us if they would just listen and take the advice offered.
Posted by: Jenny H. | November 26, 2010 at 9:44 PM | Quote This Comment
I'm a baby boomer, and I work with a Generation Y who called in sick for two days because she broke up with her boyfriend! I don't see too many of us older folks doing that.
Posted by: Sarah | November 26, 2010 at 10:10 PM | Quote This Comment
I find Gen Y'ers to be extremely obnoxious, and lazy...they're always looking to be paid while they essentially show up for work, and that's it. They have no work ethic, no customer service skills, and talk about poor communication skills...they can't even answer a phone call on their jobs with customer service finess, and class. They don't mind dropping the ball when things get the least bit rough, and will overtly display this attitude. Please...you need to go all the way back to elementary school just to learn how to have a sense of ethics, and class about your work skills, and the workplace.. it's not just about the knowledge, but just as important, how to process what you know...which is what you Y'ers DON"T KNOW!!...don't kid yourself baby...we Gen X'er, and baby boomers have leaned the most important lessons with these years of experience we have..." you know that you know , (that you know). By the time you become us, and you feel really good being in the workforce because you've earned the right to be there! You're an expert in your job, AND, at the same time KNOW how to treat people...PRICELESS!!!
Posted by: Cassie | November 26, 2010 at 11:56 PM | Quote This Comment
@ Keilah, Jenny, Sarah, and Cassie -- Thanks for commenting; it looks like I struck a few nerves. The attitudes you described are not solely the property of Gen Y. Back when I was in my 20s (I'm a Boomer), I witnessed similar behavior from people my age. Maturity and responsibility tend to change a lot of our attitudes, but I've worked with Gen Yers who are ahead of themselves in those areas.
Posted by: Rick | November 30, 2010 at 4:27 PM | Quote This Comment