We often hear about the gaps between Baby Boomers and Millennials, the bad reputation Millennials have in the workforce, and frankly, the overabundance of information can be burdensome and tiring.
However, a recent article caught our attention that demonstrates how to identify and accept differences in order to work cohesively. Millennials have surpassed Baby Boomers as the largest generation in the U.S. labor force as of 2017, amounting to 56 million, roughly 35% of the workforce (Pew Research).
So, here’s what experts are now saying about the Millennial generation and the disconnect with Baby Boomers:
- What are Millennials working for?
They need to feel like what they’re working toward aligns with their own goals and aspirations. - Baby Boomers have certain expectations of young employees based on their own experience.
You work hard and in exchange, we’ll give you security and stability. Now, Boomers expect Millennials to work for the same. - It’s a whole new world out there, and Boomers have to recognize that if they’re going to successfully manage Millennials
Because Millennials don’t expect to stay with a company for the long term, their interest is in what can benefit them now. - There are other ways to tap into a Millennial’s aspirations, but they don’t come from mind-reading.
Conversations around what the employee wants from a job need to happen as early as the interview in order to continue motivating throughout the working relationship.
The conversation will continue until generations learn how to work cohesively, just in time for a new generation to come along and start the conversation all over again. As always, we are here to help you manage your workforce or career – from adding single positions to supplement your team or an entire project team – we have our finger on the top talent and client opportunities.
The disconnect between Baby Boomers and Millennials when it comes to work ethic
by Mark Lurie
Millennials have entered a professional world where their realities are wildly different from the ones Boomers knew. Baby Boomers sometimes believe Millennials are entitled and lazy, but this couldn’t be further from the truth.
