The workplace diva has arrived

Edie G. Lush

Edie G. Lush says that ‘Generation Y’ – youngsters now entering the workforce – are a sensitive bunch who need very special handling by their employers

If learning from those with experience is important, Generation Y currently has three older generations in the workplace to help them. The oldest are the Builders or Traditionalists, those born before the end of the second world war and now, aged 63-plus, steadily declining as a proportion of the workforce. They’re followed by the Baby Boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, and Generation X, mostly thirtysomethings, born between 1965 and 1979.

While there is ample ground for mentoring, there is also space for collision in the workplace. According to a 2006 survey by career management firm Lee Hecht Harrison, 60 per cent of employers reported experiencing tensions between employees of different generations. The survey found more than 70 per cent of older employees are dismissive of younger workers’ abilities. And nearly half of employers say that younger employees feel likewise about their older co-workers. A presentation by American law firm Foley & Lardner lists some of the broad differences between (and stereotypes of) the four generations in the workplace. The surviving Builders and Traditionalists have a strong work ethic allegedly shaped by the Great Depression. They’re generally loyal and comfortable with top-down management. Baby Boomers tend to be competitive, and reportedly respond best to traditional symbols of recognition such as titles, extra money and perks. They also feel that the younger generations need to put in their time at the photocopier before moving up. Differences between Generation X and Y seem less clear with the exception that Gen X-ers prefer to work independently and not to be micromanaged whereas group-oriented (‘coddled’ says Foley & Lardner) Gen Y-ers prefer to work as members of a team. Lucian Tarnowski of Brave New Enterprise points out another potential source of conflict for those concerned about putting in your time at the photocopier: ‘Eight per cent of Generation Y expects to climb the management ladder within six months of being in a job, and 52 per cent expect a promotion within a year.’