When it comes to the workplace, there is a collection of generations who help run the business. Our grandparents were a part of the Veteran Generation where every worker was a man in a gray suit.
While Generation Y is bursting with individualism, informality must be balanced with the need to do what is best. With so much distinction, it is a wonder anything gets accomplished and people know how to manage the collection of different generations.
Wednesday in McKenny Hall, Anita Schnars and Latisha Cunningham held an informational “Lunch and Learn” session about the multigenerational gap.
“I thought it was a very important topic in today’s working world,” said Anita Schnars, director of training and organizational development for EMU Human Resources. “I’ve have to manage all four generations in the workplace and I think that it is going to become a much more important topic as time goes on. This is not a one-size-fits-all approach.”
The four generations include Veteran, Baby Boomer, Generation X and Generation Y. Each one has different distinctive characteristics that set it apart from the others.
Veterans exhibit stable liking structures and fall into conformity, while the Baby Boomers are workaholics, driven and eager to please. However, Generation X is all about independence, creativity and seeking security. Generation Y wants instant gratification, learns quickly and is high maintenance.
These classifications are not meant to stereotype but simply suggest common traits each one has.
“Because there are a plethora of generalizations and stereotypes about all of the generations, it is important to inform our fellow workers about the differences and how to work with every style,” said Latisha Cunningham, graduate assistant for EMU Human Resources.
When talking about Generation Y, there are two different types one can fall into. The first is described as the weigh station employees who show up with demands but do not actually do anything. The second type wants to make an immediate impact and will work to climb up the ladder and succeed.
This “Lunch and Learn” session also encouraged discussion among the audience to think about each generation and assess what they knew or thought they knew. Things that were addressed were why certain generations act the way they do, and how the generations affect each other.
One topic that was greatly discussed was reversed coaching, which is Baby Boomers and Generation Y teaching each other all the new traits and coaching with experience in the workplace.
“This is important because every manager in today’s working world will be managing all four of these generations,” Schnars said. “This topic has become more significant due to the economy and Baby Boomers are not retiring as early as originally predicted. There is going to be a great influx of Generation Y employees in the workplace. People have to know what to expect.”