GENERATIONAL DIFFERENCES IN THE WORKPLACE CURRENT WORKFORCE NUMBERS: TRADITIONALIST 1925 - 1945 BABY BOOMER 1946 - 1964 GENERATION X 1965 - 1980 MILLENNIALS 1981 - 2000 GENERATION Z 2001 - 2020 2% 25% 33% 35% 5% One size doesn’t fit all when it comes to today’s workforce – five generations of workers means five approaches to work. Learn how to adjust to a multigenerational workforce. This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC
Let’s build a team
The person who goes first is given or shown a random object in private. They then have to demonstrate how to use the object without actually showing it in front of their team. Their team gets 1 minutes on the clock to shout out the correct word.
TRADITIONALISTS This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY BORN: 1925 - 1945 DEPENDABLE | STRAIGHTFORWARD | TACTFUL | LOYAL Provide satisfying work and opportunities to contribute, emphasize stability EMPLOYERS SHOULD:
BABY BOOMERS BORN: 1946 - 1964 Provide them with special goals and deadlines; put them in mentor roles; offer coaching-style feedback EMPLOYERS SHOULD: OPTIMISTIC | COMPETITIVE | WORKAHOLIC |TEAM-ORIENTED Baby Boomers who plan to work past age 65 65% Baby Boomer reach retirement age everyday 10,000
Find the leader???
GENERATION X BORN: 1965 - 1980 Give them immediate feedback; provide flexible work arrangements and work-life balance; extend opportunities for personal development EMPLOYERS SHOULD: FLEXIBLE | IMFORMAL | SKEPTICAL | INDEPENDENT Startup founders who are Gen Xers – the highest percentage 55% Gen Xers will autnumber Baby Boomers By 2028,
MILLENNIALS BORN: 1981 - 2000 Get to know them personally; manage by results; be flexible on their schedule and work assignments; provide immediate feedback EMPLOYERS SHOULD: COMPETITIVE | CIVIC – AND OPEN-MINDED | ACHIEVEMENT-ORIENTED Percentages of glabal workforce to be made up of Millennials by 2025 75% Millennials ages 25-35 living at home with their parents 15% This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC GENERATION Z BORN: 2001 - 2020 Offer opportunities to work on multiple projects at the same time; provide work-balance; allow them to be self-directed and independent. EMPLOYERS SHOULD: GLOBAL | ENTREPRENEURIAL | PROGRESSIVE | LESS FOCUSED 40% Gen Zers who want to interact with their boss daily or several times each day 84% Gen Zers who expect their employer to provide format training
Perfect square group come and stand in a tight circle with their group . everyone to blindfold themselves or close their eyes and give one person a rope. Without looking at what they're doing, the teams now have to pass the rope around so everyone holds a piece of it and then form a perfect square . Once the team is sure their square is perfect, they can lay the rope down on the floor, take off their blindfolds (or open their eyes) and see how well they did.
Trust any two
GET EVERYONE ON THE SAME PAGE When Baby Boomers were entering the workforce, suits and ties were worn everyday and computers didn’t exist. Times have changed a lot since then. Not only do we have computers, but we have smart phones that allow us to communicate from virtually anywhere, and many companies have adopted business casual as their attire. The older generations may view these changes as informal and sometimes disrespectful. As their leader, it is important for you to set the tone and clearly outline the formality of your workers. If everyone knows what is expected of them, there is less room for disagreement and finger- pointing, and more room for collaboration and productivity. ®
USE MULTIPLE COMMUNICATION AVENUES Veterans grew up during the time of rotary phones, while Millennials had their own cell phone by the time they entered their teenage years. Baby Boomers prefer face- to- face conversation, while Generation Xers prefer to speak via email or text. While you may be hard- pressed to find a rotary phone nowadays, you can provide multiple communication options for your employees. ®
PERSONALIZE YOUR APPROACH One of your primary duties as the facilities manager, is to ensure your employees have what they need, when they need it. A HAPPY EMPLOYEE = A PRODUCTIVE EMPLOYEE = SUCCESSFUL COMPANY One of the best ways to ensure this gets done is to get to know your team as individuals. Make an effort to discover what works best for each member of your team and adjust your plan accordingly. ®
Send the healthy member of team.
UNDERSTAND VALUE DIFFERENCES Work ethic varies tremendously from generation to generation. Veterans may view work as an obligation. Baby Boomers often view it as an adventure. Gen Xers have grown up viewing their jobs as challenges. Millennials view it as a means to an end- - you have to work to be able to buy the things you want . 4 Understanding these differences and WHY they have come to the conclusion they have about their profession will equip you with the tools you need in approaching each. Since we are all products of our environment, none are incorrect, just simply very different. ®
BE AWARE OF MOTIVATING FACTORS While members of the older generations are used to coming in and getting the job done, no matter what, the youth entering the workforce is often motivated by consistent praise and guidance. Again, neither generation is right or wrong. A healthy balance between each viewpoint is the best answer. Always remember the power of praise, as it is a key motivator no matter the person. ®
Send the knowledgeable one …
ASK, NEVER ASSUME Miscommunication can cause dissension in the ranks, especially within a group of diverse individuals. Encourage your team to communicate amongst each other. Rather than assuming t he worst about their co- workers, they should converse and ask questions. Lead your team by example, breaking down the typical stereotypes along the way. ®
BE WILLING TO TEACH, AND BE TAUGHT Regardless of how much you have experienced or how much schooling you have, there is always more we can learn. Today’s generation can take some great lessons from older generations. Such as the value of face- to-face communication and taking time to complete a project. Conversely, today’s youth can teach the Veterans and Baby Boomers the value of technology and how it creates a different (but more efficient) work environment. Always encourage growth within your team, as everything we learn shapes us into the type of individuals we are and the type of work we do. ®
While it may be tempting to bury your head in the sand regarding the differences within your workforce, this is never a good idea. Instead, acknowledge & embrace them. Use them as tools and encourage your team to use these variances as a chance to learn and grow. You did, after all, hire each for their strengths and what they have to offer. When your team sees you doing this, they are much more likely to follow suit. ® EMBRACE THE DIFFERENCES