While writing the first story in a series on baby boomers and the workforce, I started thinking beyond generational lines. How will the rest of the workforce–especially Generations X and Y–deal with the demographic shifts coming about?
Fortune Magazine earlier this week posted a story about Generation Y at
work, touching on many points raised by my sources on the future of the
American workforce. The Fortune story, written by a Millennial, offers a dynamic, take-the-good, take-the-bad profile of Generation Y.
Members are high-maintenance, awash in years of coddling and
center-of-the universe status from their baby-boomer parents. Some Millennials
simply quit if they don’t like a gig, knowing they can easily return
home to mom and dad. Mom and dad are part of daily or weekly life for
some Gen Yers, even going so far as to show up for their child’s first
day of work or take an active role in job choices.
Generation Y can be fearless, the story says, thinking outside the box, and
expert multi-taskers skilled with technology. They crave positive
reinforcement, and can flourish when given significant
responsibilities.
At the end of the day, they don’t want to work 60 or 80 hours a week, for years on end at the same company.
Generation Y, Boomers in the Spotlight
Because they’re the latest workers launching their career climb,
Generation Y is bound to be in the spotlight. So are baby boomers: many are expected to change careers, go part-time or otherwise shift their current work lives. Movement on both ends will have a profound impact on our workforce.
What I find most disconcerting about Generation Y is the level of
parental involvement (which I recognize isn’t true for all Gen Yers).
It’s nice to have your parents’ support, but at some point–both
professionally and personally–cleaving from your parents is good,
healthy and makes you a more self-sufficient worker. Mom and dad aren’t
always going to be in the background, cheering your every move, nor
should they be.
The longer Generation Y stays in the workforce, perhaps the more
they’ll find a way to cope without their parents’ constant supervising.
I applaud Generation Y for questioning the constant-60-hour-work week mentality.
It’s important to work hard and smart, but endlessly working 12-hour days,
nights and weekends is nonsensical.
So where does Generation X fit into the picture?
Generation X is smaller than either the Millennial or baby-boomer cohorts. But it’s quite possible Generation X will be figuring
out how to bridge the work-style gap between the Millennials and the
baby boomers. It seems someone has to, and who better than the
generation sandwiched between the two?
Stay tuned for my upcoming coverage of baby boomers, Generation X and beyond.
-kc
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