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Generational Differences in the Workplace

Companies, Organizations and businesses are rapidly growing as more young adults are entering the work force; filling entry level jobs everyone once started out doing. With the office compiled with different age groups, the various communication styles may cause some confusion or issues when it comes to interaction.


A refresher on the types of Generation age groups are as follows:
  • Baby Boomers: 1946 - 1964
  • Generation X: 1965 - 1980
  • Generation Y (Millennials): 1981 - 1996
  • Generation Z: 1997 - 2012
Every generation is presumed to have certain qualities that others are not aligned with but in some instances some age groups are quite similar. Be aware of generational differences and participating in generational bias.

Getting to know your employees individually will help facilitate work relationships that will help instead of hinder interaction with other co-workers. By assuming someone's qualities according to their generation, you are basing a significant group of people solely by how they are perceived by the media.

Baby Boomers

This generation is more traditional in the way they socialize. Since this generation was forced to adjust to new technological advances that were being presented, they didn't fully rely on that form of communication right away. Boomers are more face-to-face proficient. While they do not mind e-mail, they would much rather speak to the person face to face. If in-person interaction isn't available, a phone call will suffice. They are considered to be the "show me" generation when asking for solutions. In a work setting, however, 93% of  Boomers said they use e-mail daily.

Generation X

People of this generation are in their 40s to mid-50s. Unlike baby boomers, they would prefer communication through e-mail instead of face-to-face. And even when talk is necessary, they like short and straight to the point conversations. People of this generation are like a bridge of communication between Generation Y (Millennials) and baby boomers because of the technological advantages they have to segue communication.

Millennials (Generation Y)

While some Millennials grew up at the start of the digital age, they too like Gen Z's are tech proficient. When it comes to interaction at work, however, they prefer online messaging or e-mail instead of interacting face-to-face. And as far as phone calls go, Notre Dame of Maryland University stated in their article The evolution of communication across generations, that picking up a phone can even be more "time consuming" than a quick message response. 92% of Millennials own smart phones, yet their main form of communication is through instant messaging or quick responsive emails.

Generation Z

This generation was born into the digital age. Because the technology they are surrounded by is always improving and changing to be bigger and faster, they are accustomed to lightning speed responses. This can be challenging in a work setting when they expect a fast response to a question they may have. However, research from HR firm Rise has found that the best way to communicate with Gen Z's is through face-to-face so they get a better understanding of whats expected of them.

The work place is expanding and we are seeing more of a mix between different age groups. While they may not all have the same preferences in communication, it is important to understand how each generation plays a role within a company and how they choose to go about their work.


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