The Generation Gap in the Workplace Bridging the Generation Divide in the Workplace Christine Hassler, M.A IFMA Symposium September 10, Years of Chapter History 2008 Symposium Facilities Management for the 21 st Century

25 Years of Chapter History 2008 Symposium Facilities Management for the 21 st Century What is a Generation? Defined by similar formative years Shaped by: –Parenting trends –Life Span –Changes in technology

25 Years of Chapter History 2008 Symposium Facilities Management for the 21 st Century Matures Born before1945 Baby Boomers Born Gen X Born Gen Y Born First time in History... A Four Generation Workforce:

25 Years of Chapter History 2008 Symposium Facilities Management for the 21 st Century Current Generational Landscape In The Workforce Now: Matures at 5% Boomers at 45% Gen X at 40% Gen Y at 10%

25 Years of Chapter History 2008 Symposium Facilities Management for the 21 st Century What the Future Looks Like: Over the next 2-3 years, Gen Y’ers will outnumber Baby Boomers The self-employed category will grow 5% more from 2004 to 2014 compared to previous decades Between 1977 and 2007, employment of workers 65 and over increased 101% The gaps between generations are getting bigger and bigger... Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

25 Years of Chapter History 2008 Symposium Facilities Management for the 21 st Century Generational Continuum: We, Nation, Team, Company I, My, Individual, “What’s in it for me?” Whatever it takes, Hours, Visibility, Face time TIME TEAMWORK TECHNOLOGY Success = Balance, Time as a Currency, Ownership Luxury, Intimidating, Diversions, Toys Reliance, Flexibility, New Skills A S S U M P T I O N S

25 Years of Chapter History 2008 Symposium Facilities Management for the 21 st Century How Do Organizations Bridge The Generational Gaps?

25 Years of Chapter History 2008 Symposium Facilities Management for the 21 st Century MATURES (TRADITIONALISTS) Born: 1928 to 1945 Teens: 1942 to 1963, Today Million Formative Events: Homogeneous families and neighbors, conformity WWII Great Depression Pearl Harbor First manned space flight Significant increase in economic prosperity Growth in white collar jobs

25 Years of Chapter History 2008 Symposium Facilities Management for the 21 st Century MATURES: Traits Strong Military connection – duty and sacrifice Respectful of authority / Hierarchical Loyal to institutions / companies “We First” Motivated by financial rewards and security Most Affluent Generation in our Nation Work ethic measured in timelines Delayed Gratification Heroes: Groups

25 Years of Chapter History 2008 Symposium Facilities Management for the 21 st Century BABY BOOMERS Born: 1946 to 1964 Teens: 1960 to 1982, Today: 44 to 62 years old 80 Million Formative Events: Civil Rights Movement and Feminist Movement Vietnam War Assassinations of idealistic leaders Watergate and Nixon’s resignation The Cold War

25 Years of Chapter History 2008 Symposium Facilities Management for the 21 st Century Most Influential Generation in Population Work-a-holic Anti-authoritarian Motivated by changing the world Last generation to pay dues in a traditional ways Believe teamwork is critical to success Expect loyalty from those they work with Running the show Heroes: People they’ve never met BOOMERS: Traits

25 Years of Chapter History 2008 Symposium Facilities Management for the 21 st Century GEN X Born:1965 to 1979 Teens:1980 to 1998,Today: 28 to 43 years old 45 Million Formative Events Watergate End of the Cold War – fall of the Berlin Wall Challenger Explosion The Gulf War The PC boom and Growth of the Internet The Reagan Presidency Women more fully integrated into the workforce Significant increase in their parents’ divorce rates & unemployment

25 Years of Chapter History 2008 Symposium Facilities Management for the 21 st Century GEN X: Traits Skeptical / Cynical Prove it to me Independent / Loners Live for today, “carpe diem” Work / Life balance Believe their value is not in what they do, but in what they know Heroes: People they know who have proven themselves

25 Years of Chapter History 2008 Symposium Facilities Management for the 21 st Century Formative Events: Oklahoma City Bombing 9/11, Terrorism Columbine Global Warming Katrina Internet Boom Dual-income Families Strong Economy Kid-centric Culture GEN Y (MILLENIALS) Born:1978 – 2000 Today (2008): 8 to 28 yrs old 77 Million

25 Years of Chapter History 2008 Symposium Facilities Management for the 21 st Century Confident Socially conscious Diverse & highly tolerant Overscheduled Consumers of EVERYTHING Grew up in a world ubiquitous with technology Known affluence & fame their whole lives Immediate and eager to live life “now” Heroes: Parents GEN Y: Traits

25 Years of Chapter History 2008 Symposium Facilities Management for the 21 st Century See the Gap: Summary of Different Views Around Job Change Matures – Believes it carries stigma Boomers – Believes it puts you behind Gen X – Believes it is necessary Gen Y – Believes it is routine

25 Years of Chapter History 2008 Symposium Facilities Management for the 21 st Century See the Gap: Summary of Different Views Around Career Goals Matures – Belief in building a legacy Boomers – Belief in building an incredible career Gen X – Belief in building a portable, flexible career Gen Y – Belief in building a parallel, passionate career

25 Years of Chapter History 2008 Symposium Facilities Management for the 21 st Century See the Gap: Summary of Different Views Around Work Ethic Matures – We First / Nose to the grindstone Boomers – Pay your dues / Workaholic Gen X – Prove it to me Gen Y – Instant Gratification

25 Years of Chapter History 2008 Symposium Facilities Management for the 21 st Century See the Gap: Summary of Different Views Around Training Matures – Learn from experience Boomers – Learn from working hard Gen X – Learn from training and networking Gen Y – Continuous learning / Formal education and experience

25 Years of Chapter History 2008 Symposium Facilities Management for the 21 st Century See the Gap: Summary of Different Views Around Identity Matures – Blend in Boomers – Who I am is what I do Gen X – Define themselves outside the office Gen Y – Individuals with herd mentality

25 Years of Chapter History 2008 Symposium Facilities Management for the 21 st Century

25 Years of Chapter History 2008 Symposium Facilities Management for the 21 st Century Show Respect, Listen Attentively Acknowledge Contributions... Humbly Value their wisdom Be spoken and written Be clear, especially about changes Invite discussion Offer insights about co-workers and clients Best Practices: MATURES

25 Years of Chapter History 2008 Symposium Facilities Management for the 21 st Century Acknowledge Team & Individual Contributions Value “face time” Be succinct Provide resources/tools to keep them up-to-date and competitive Retire Retirement Offer them options for greater responsibility (as well as less) Encourage giving back Best Practices: BOOMERS

25 Years of Chapter History 2008 Symposium Facilities Management for the 21 st Century

25 Years of Chapter History 2008 Symposium Facilities Management for the 21 st Century Time is a Currency Recognize their identity is outside the workplace Customization and Flexibility (family friendly) Offer a variety of career paths with multiple next steps Networking (“seen and be seen”) Leverage Their Entrepreneurial Instincts Money Talk short-term Prove it to them Best Practices: GEN X

25 Years of Chapter History 2008 Symposium Facilities Management for the 21 st Century GEN Y

25 Years of Chapter History 2008 Symposium Facilities Management for the 21 st Century Gen Y’s Workplace Expectations To be challenged and rewarded To do meaningful work (“what dues?”) To be promoted within a year To be paid well To have work/life balance To work for a socially / environmentally conscious company To be treated respectfully To communicate via multiple channels To learn new knowledge and transferable skills that support job mobility From various sources, including Carolyn Martin’s and Bruce Tulgan’s work on Generation Y in the workplace.

25 Years of Chapter History 2008 Symposium Facilities Management for the 21 st Century Best Practices: GEN Y Make their first day unforgettable Map out their career path Design jobs – and the workplace – for collaboration Provide frequent acknowledgement and feedback Give detailed explanations and rationale Co-create accountability and expectations, be specific Bursts of Short Information Help them itemize and prioritize Intrinsically motivate

25 Years of Chapter History 2008 Symposium Facilities Management for the 21 st Century Best Practices: GEN Y (cont) Allow (encourage) asynchronous work Open-door policy Balance menial work with meaningful work Teach soft skills Offer entertaining and experiential training/projects Use state-of-the art technology and multi-media Reward with time Celebrate their success Be a coach Remember... They are sensitive!!!

25 Years of Chapter History 2008 Symposium Facilities Management for the 21 st Century Four Step CAREfrontation with Gen Y: 1.What is the situation? 2.What can I do? 3.What can YOU do? 4.What can WE do?

25 Years of Chapter History 2008 Symposium Facilities Management for the 21 st Century 6-7 million are entering the workforce in the next three years By 2010 they will make up the entire demographic Global minded Socially and environmentally conscious Innovative networking style Multi-processing and tasking Highly skilled, adaptable to change Eager and willing to commit themselves Reverse mentoring opportunities Why Gen Y!!!!! Why Gen Y????

25 Years of Chapter History 2008 Symposium Facilities Management for the 21 st Century Invest in technology Gen Y friendly on-line presence Set up mentoring and reverse mentoring opportunities Deliver what you say you will Be transparent Address parents as a part of your workforce strategy Address how you will help them achieve their goals Implement social and environmental conscious practices Offer competitive salaries, benefits and opportunity for advancement Attracting GEN Y

25 Years of Chapter History 2008 Symposium Facilities Management for the 21 st Century Bridging the Generational Gaps: Provide a variety of flexible arrangements that cater to each generation More opportunities for generations to work together Invest in top notch education and training in all forms Re-recruit every day Invite Open Dialogue Create space for creative ideas Set up mentoring and reverse mentoring opportunities Prepare for the next Generations!

25 Years of Chapter History 2008 Symposium Facilities Management for the 21 st Century Futurizing your organization – that is, creating an organization that thinks in the future tense and acts in the present – is a prerequisite for success in a rapidly changing and uncertain world. ~James L. Morrison, World Future Society

The Generation Gap in the Workplace END