Baby Boomers in the Workforce: A Basic Guide for Busy Managers
Baby Boomers in the workforce are a force to be reckoned with. They are the single biggest cohort in the history of the planet, and they have dominated economics, culture, and the workplace for the past half century in countries where the Baby Boom phenomena exists.
Baby Boomers in the workforce are most pronounced in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada (presumably because World War II was six years long for these countries, but when they got back home, they didn’t have to rebuild their cities), followed by the United States and Western Europe.
First, we should define Baby Boomers In The Workforce:
Traditionalists: 1925 – 1945
Baby Boomers: 1946 – 1965
Generation X: 1966 – 1980
Millennials: 1980 – 1999
Who Cares About Baby Boomers In The Workforce?
• Clashes between generations can directly affect employee turnover. If team members do not feel like they “fit in” or that their values are not reflected in the workplace, then there is a risk of unwanted turnover.
• Baby Boomers in the workforce have been influenced by different life events than other generations and thus have different perspectives that can impact motivation and performance. Understanding this helps increase the capture of discretionary effort.
• A 2011 Robert Half survey showed that 72% of hiring managers find it challenging to manage teams composed of members of different generations. This is particularly challenging when younger generations are put in the position of managing Baby Boomers in the workforce.
Factors that Shaped Baby Boomers In The Workforce:
• Birth of Rock n Roll.
• Many Baby Boomers in the workforce are the hippees of the sixties.
• Space exploration. Many Baby Boomers in the workforce can remember a time before regular space travel.
• Baby Boomers in the workforce are the most affluent generation in history.
• Unlike previous generations, Baby Boomers in the workforce grew up in peaceful times, and most of them have never gone to war.
• Baby Boomers in the workforce were the first to reject traditional values, after having grown up during the Civil Rights Movement, and other significant social changes.
Expectations of Baby Boomers In The Workforce:
• Baby Boomers in the workforce value competition from their peers.
• Boomers started the “workaholic” trend. Where Traditionalists saw hard work and long hours as the right thing to do, Baby Boomers in the workforce see it as a way to get to the next level of success.
• Baby Boomers in the workforce are committed to climbing the ladder of success. They are looking for status, money, and prestige.
• Baby Boomers in the workforce do not like restrictive rules and regulations.
How to Lead and Motivate Baby Boomers In The Workforce:
• Titles, Position and Prestige. Baby Boomers in the workforce are achievement oriented, and respond to status represented by position and titles.
• Provide Stability. Baby Boomers in the workforce are primarily a loyal group, so even though many are close to retirement, longer term incentives are important to this cohort.
• Recognize Their Experience and Contributions. Baby Boomers in the workforce have a wealth of experience that younger generations have yet to achieve. Recognizing this allows other generations to learn from the Boomers, and also motivates Baby Boomers in the workforce.
• Respect their knowledge and experience. Set up formal opportunities for Baby Boomers in the Workforce to share their expertise with younger workers.
• Personal Relationships. Deal with Boomers face to face. Do not rely solely on email with this cohort.
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Tagged with: Baby Boom • Baby Boomers • baby boomers in the workforce • baby boomers in the workplace • Clashes • Cohort • Different Life • Different Perspectives • Employee Turnover • Generation X • Hippees • Hiring Managers • mature workers • Millennials • older employees • Robert Half • Rock N Roll • Sixties • Space Exploration • Space Travel • Traditionalists • Western Europe • Workforce • World War Ii
Filed under: Jobs & Careers
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