1. social transition and the contemporary workplace IN THE UNITED STATES
Dr. Richard Lewis, Jr., Ph.D.
Round Top Consulting Associates
24123 Boerne Stage Road, Suite 119
San Antonio, Texas

2. CONTEMPORARY WORKPLACE
Presentation Objectives
Examine the contemporary American workplace.
Discuss preparation for the contemporary workplace.
Tips for personal business success.
Round Top Consulting Associates

3. ADDRESSING INCLUSION Impacts on Diversity Issues. Global issues.
24/ 7/365 world.
Specialness and average performance.
Workplace and employment transition (industrial to a post-industrial economy).
Technological and communications changes.
Media influences within society.
Perceptions of personal entitlement (narcissism).
Political and social polarization (us versus them).
Round Top Consulting Associates

4. Intersection creates inequality/tensions in society
Race
Age
Intersection creates inequality/tensions in society
Gender
Social
Class
Contemporary Workplace Issues In the United States

6. Table 2. Comparison of Income, Education, Age, and Birth Factors
by Racial/Ethnic Groups, 2009 and 2014*
Factor
All
White American
Asian American
Hispanic American
Black American
Median family income, 2014
$53,657
$60,256
(112 %)
$74,297
(138 %)
$42,491
(79 %)
$35,398
(66 %)
Median family income, 2009
$60,088
$62,545
(105 %)
$75,027
(125 %)
$39,730
$38,409
(64 %)
Median family income, 1999
$35,353
$36,915
(104 %)
$42,246
(119 %)
$23,431
$21,423
(61 %)
Per capita income, 2008
$26,964
$28,502
$30,292
$15,674
$18,406
Percentage of families living in poverty, 2009
11.1 %
(8,792,000)
9.3 %
9.4 %
22.7 %
Median age, 2009
36 years
41 years
35 years
27 years
32 years
Percentage with a high school diploma or more (25 years & older), 2009
87.1 %
87.6 %
88.9 %
62.9 %
84.2 %
Percentage with a college degree or more, (25 years & older), 2009
29.9 %
30.3 %
52.4 %
13.9 %
19.8 %

7. Table 1. Median Annual Earnings and Gender Earnings Ratio for Full-Time Year-Round Workers age 15 Years and Older by Race/Ethnicity, 2014 and 2015
2015
2014 (in 2015 dollars)*
Racial/Ethnic Background*
Women
($)
Men
Female Earnings as % of Male Earnings of Same Group
Female Earnings as % of White Male Earnings
All Races/Ethnicities
White
Black
Asian American
Hispanic or Latino
40, , , , ,109
51, , , , ,673
79.6% 75.3% 88.1% 78.3% 87.2%
75.3% 63.3% 84.5% 54.4%
39, , , , ,328
50, , , , ,575
78.6% 75.4% 81.7% 81.9% 87.7%
------
75.4% 59.8% 83.4% 54.6%

10. DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
Five Generational Groups
Traditionalists. ( Born between 1922 and1945). Known as loyalists, matures, veterans, greatest generation years of age.
Baby Boomers. (Born between 1946 and1964). Optimistic and driven years of age.
Generation X. (Born between 1965 and1979). Known as baby busters years of age.
Millennials. (Born between 1980 and 2000). Known as Generation nexter’s, Generation Y, Generation Net, Echo Boomers years of age.
iGeneration. (Born since 2001). Known as the Post-Millennials, Generation Z.
Round Top Consulting Associates

12. Summary of Age Cohort Characteristics in the United States, 2016
Orientation
Traditionalists
Baby Boomers
Generation
X’ers
Millennials
Perception of Organizations
Stability
Strategic
Operational
Particularistic
Outlook
Practical
Optimistic
Skeptical
Hopeful
Work Ethic
Dedicated
Driven
Balanced
Not focused
View of Authority
Respectful
Love/hate
Unimpressed
Confrontational
Leadership
Hierarchal
Consensus
Competence
Unsure
Relationships
Self-sacrifice
Personal gratification
Reluctant to commit
Non face-to-face

13. ADDRESSING INCLUSION Profile of the Future American - 2020
Growing racial/ethnic minority groups and more subcultures.
Older population. Leading-edge Baby Boomers turned 70 years of age in 2016 (about 2,000 Boomers turn 65 each day).
Less educated and more credentialed.
Poorer with a growing working class and working poor.
Less competitive globally.
Less consumption as a society and lower standard of living.
Economic expansion in professional and service positions.
Professional positions will grow by 23 %.
Service positions will increase by 20 %.
27 million new jobs will require a high school diploma or less.
Round Top Consulting Associates

14. GENERATIONAL ISSUES Social and Cultural Change Impacting the Workplace
Dress and appearance.
Use of media.
Values, attitudes, and beliefs.
Communication styles.
Demographic diversity.

15. GENERATIONAL ISSUES New Technology and Non Face-to-face Communication
Does not lend itself to non-verbal cues.
Difficult to convey emotion and feelings.
Brief and quick message transfer.
Generally there is little to no context to the message
Frequent use of acronyms, text language, and symbols.
Overall: makes communication more problematic.

16. Addressing inclusion
Age Cohort Differences. Perceptions and viewpoints may be in conflict. Issues may include the following.
Work expectations/work ethic.
Education expectations.
Perceptions of problems and issues.
Views of deadlines and commitments.
Defining concepts.
Managing people who are older.
Adapting to and use of electronic technology.
Rewards and compensation.
Round Top Consulting Associates

17. CONTEMPORARY WORKPLACE
Educational Challenges in the United States
Individuals deficient of independent and critical thinking skills.
Unable to link concepts and thoughts into a larger framework.
Skimming versus reading.
Lack of mathematics background.
Lack of scientific skills.
Inability to write technical reports and papers.
Effective communication skills.

18. CONTEMPORARY WORKPLACE
Ways to Prepare for the Future Workplace
Research skills development (quantitative, qualitative, and existing information).
Enroll in an international relations course.
Appropriate dress and appearance (in context).
Critical thinking skills.
Improve writing/presentation skills (reports, paper, etc.).
Conduct occupant interviews.
Complete an undergraduate internship.
Round Top Consulting Associates

19. CONTEMPORARY WORKPLACE
Tips for Successful Business Creation
Find a product or service niche (need research).
Interview individuals and companies.
Create a business development plan (budget and feasibility study).
Determine client base.
Decide about geographic versus cyber location.
Initial marketing approach.
Set realistic profit expectations.
Round Top Consulting Associates

20. CONTACT INFORMATION
Richard Lewis, Jr., Ph.D.
University of Texas at San Antonio
(UTSA)
Round Top Consulting Associates