UNCOMMON THREADS.(managing the generation gap in the workplace)

Mending the Generation Gap at Work

Some say it's only the generation gap. As the differences between generations in the work force become increasingly apparent, so too is the impact these differences are having on the workplace.

While dining with my family this spring, a young woman joined a group of her "twenty-something" peers seated adjacent to us. After greeting a friend, one of them remarked, "I'm so glad to see you, I've been meaning to e-mail you."

Though I have been researching and writing on generational issues for the past decade, this classic example really caught my attention. It's not a remarkable example by any means, but it illustrates the emerging difference in experiences and traits between US generations currently represented in the work force. Dealing with generational issues has become a fact of life and has had a profound impact on career issues.

Having difficulty understanding the perspective, work habits and communication styles of those in another age group is common in the workplace. The challenge may come from interactions with your boss, an employee, co worker, client or even a vendor. As with other diversity issues, such as age, gender, ethnicity and race, examining and understanding generations has become an increasingly important part of maximizing organizational effectiveness.

DEFINING GENERATIONS

How are generations determined? As the accompanying table illustrates, there is no set range of birth years that determine a generation. While Baby Boomers (1946 to 1964)were born over a range of 18 years, Generation Xers span only 11 years (1965 to 1976). Simply stated, the span of birth years that determines a generation is derived from birth rates. The birth years for generation "ABC" will increase as long as the birth rates follow a generally upward course. The final birth year for this generation (and the start of a new generation) is the point at which the number of annual births indicates a definite downward trend. This new generation will last until there is a change in birth rates. And so the generational cycle continues.