There was an interesting article in the October issue of Working Mother magazine about the work-ethic clashes that can occur when women from distinctly different generations work together.
Here, in a nutshell, are the generations (excerpted from the article):
The oldest workers, typically called Traditionalists or Veterans (ages 62 to 77), expected to work in the same company for their entire career and leave with a gold watch and a pension, says Stephanie Marston, a family therapist and workplace consultant.Baby Boomers (ages 43 to 61), the largest generation, are the group that forced the workplace to include more women and multicultural employees. The vast size of this generation, with its willingness to rebel against societal norms, gave it unprecedented power and influence. Boomers are workaholics who "live to work" and believe that you earn your stripes by putting in face time.
In contrast, Gen Xers (ages 31 to 42), the smallest generation, place less value on hierarchy and loyalty to a specific organization. They "work to live" and believe that work, although fulfilling, should not define one's life.
Then there's Gen Y, also called Millennials (ages 13 to 30), the techno-literate children of the Boomers. After watching their workaholic parents get downsized from high-powered jobs, they're more devoted to their own careers than to any one company.
Says Marston: "The four generations all have different work ethics and value systems. That doesn't mean the younger generations don't work hard. They just work in different ways."
These dissimilar approaches to work can cause confusion—even resentment—among women of the four generations.
In our little Niche/Specialty Publications Department, there are three of us -- three women representing three generations -- Marnie is a boomer, I'm a Gen X-er (through and through) and our designer, Holly, is a Gen Y-er.
And, yes, we're quite different in the way we approach our careers and our lives (and I'm probably safe in saying that we each occasionally annoy one another because of that), but I've long thought it was quite beneficial to have three generations in one space -- bringing their ideas, strategies and different outlook to the table.
And, as women, we have much common ground and are able to help each other through the various stages of our lives and careers.
Indeed, the article touches on this as it pertains to working mothers:
Even with these dissimilarities about how they work, the generations generally agree about what they want from work, especially when it comes to family-friendly benefits. Boomer moms feel they've made huge sacrifices—namely, family time with their now-Gen Y children—to make the workplace more family-friendly. But they don't begrudge younger working moms—or anyone, for that matter—who want to continue to push the same agenda.So, what does it all mean? And, what's to come of these very different generations of women working together?
"We're at a crossroads now," Regan says. "The Gen X and Gen Y pairing will actually change the workplace around the issues of work/life benefits. It won't be overnight, and it won't be programmatic change, but it will involve rethinking the way we work, where we work and when we work." And now, with four generations of women under the same corporate roof, there's also a rethinking of how we all collaborate together."
In my personal opinion and experience in working on Her Times magazine, working with women from different generations has been immensely beneficial. We each bring our strengths and unique perspectives to the table and, together, we create a magazine that appeals to four generations.
Comments (1)
The categories are astoundingly correct...
and not just for women. Men's identity are largely tied to job and performance (money).
Those 4 categories separate all of us by years and age and generation, and we have no control over that. But we choose our work ethic...
each age group. The choice has largely been "I don't know what to do, but I definitely know what NOT to do".
Men are adrift in this epic called life, as work can no longer be a sole identity.
Worse, for all age categories, employers seem to have different work ethic needs and requirements. In advancing profits for his firm, a company owner and I were discussing new machines. I asked if he were adding to his work force. "People!", he hissed..."people are a dime a dozen...I NEED MACHINES". I learned a lot that day; it was an Erie firm.
Employers now have a choice of any work ethic they want. The above 4 categories give them a cafeteria of choices and style. And, the generations can easily be played off one against the other. If that doesn't do it, there is a world more of choices overseas.
Your dad would wear a suit and tie to interview at Wegmans (for example). But it seems a pierced nose will do just as well as a suit these days. Now how can that be?
The inter company warfare of woman to woman is well established. I have no clue how to work that out and I had 8 sisters and 2 daughters amidst all these generations sited.
When you all figure it out, clue in the menfolk. We are adrift in the changing rules of work, ethic, generation, loyalty (company and family) and it will take a woman to fill in the blank. Thanks in advance.
Posted by Danny Lucas | October 26, 2007 11:39 AM
Posted on October 26, 2007 11:39