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General Workplace Characteristics
GENERATION
YEARS
CHARACTERISTICS
BOOMERS
1940 – 1960,
ages 52 to 72
Highly educated, career-oriented and idealistic,
they hold most of the management jobs and
unconditionally respect authority. They are
regarded as less adaptable and less accepting
of diversity and are three times more likely to
be downsized.
GENERATION X
1961 – 1981,
ages 31 to 51
Work, for this group, holds a lower priority in
life. They place less value in feeling a sense of
pride at work. They want to maintain balance
and independence in all areas of their lives.
They can be apathetic, detached and resentful,
yet, are also loyal, resourceful and self-reliant.
GENERATION Y
1982 – 1990,
ages 22 to 30
For this group, education is a given along with a
sense of entitlement. They are staying in school
longer, pursuing multiple majors mainly
because the job market is very competitive.
Globally minded and environmentally conscious, they are concerned about the future and
are community-oriented. They are highly entrepreneurial and achievement-focused, and have
been taught to speak up and respect competencies, not titles or hierarchies.
FIND OUT how you can communicate effectively
with each generation. Visit digital Pulse on
experienceispa.com to read more.
48 PULSE
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November 2012