Tag Archive for: baby boomers

Understanding Baby Boomers, Gen X-ers, and Millennials in the Workforce

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We’re at a fascinating time in the workforce right now. Baby Boomers, Gen X-ers, and Millennials are all working together in harmony but in different capacities. Here’s what you need to understand about the differences between Baby Boomers, Gen X-ers, and Millennials in the workforce.

Baby Boomers

Baby boomers are the quintessential definition of “workaholics.” They are used to working extremely long hours to achieve the results they want, and believe that work ethic directly translates to work quality. Baby Boomers believe that positions of authority and power should be granted to those who have acquired a fair amount of experience and who have worked hard enough for it.

Many Baby Boomers have sacrificed other pursuits (such as families, vacation, and hobbies) in favor of working the traditional way up the ladder. They expect to be given respect for all the time they have put into their careers.

Gen X-ers

Gen X-ers are typically viewed as being cautious and intelligent when it comes to working. They don’t work as many hours as Baby Boomers, and they work “smarter” than Millennials do. They would much rather prefer to have a task assigned to them and complete it in entirety before moving on to the next task. Gen X-ers are inherently independent and excel in situations in which they are given the chance to work alone or assign their own values. In terms of their role, Gen X-ers tend to be the people in the company who can take a certain task and finish it without wasting or diverting any time.

Millennials

Millennials are firmly in the camp of working to live, and not the other way around. Many millennials view their jobs as a means to an end and prefer to leave the office as soon as the clock strikes five o’clock. Unlike Gen X-ers, Millennials prefer to collaborate with one another and multi-task on many different projects at once.

Millennials also differ from Baby Boomers in that they aren’t workaholics and view their worth as being defined by contribution as opposed to merit or experience. Overall, millennials make good employees if they feel like their voice is being heard and if it’s understood that work is not their primary passion in life.

If you are trying to decide whether you should hire a Baby Boomer, Gen X-er, or Millennial, contact Award Staffing. We will be able to sit down with you and assess the correct situation for your business depending on your unique needs. All of the generations provide very different experiences and have different outlooks, so it is important to take that into account when making your hiring decisions.

 

FINDING YOUR TALENT

Want to learn more about how Award Staffing can help your organization with your staffing and employment needs? Start by providing our team with a few pieces of information about yourself, and we will take care of the rest.

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How to Effectively Work for a Baby Boomer

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If you’re currently in the workforce, there’s a good chance that you’re working for a Baby Boomer. Currently, Baby Boomers are ages 44 – 62 and make up 45% of the workforce. Most Baby Boomers have put in time at their jobs and have successfully risen in the ranks. Here’s what you need to keep in mind when you’re working for a Baby Boomer.

Respect Their Authority

Baby Boomers come from the frame of mind that experience is the most important factor in determining authority. When you work for a Baby Boomer, it’s safe to assume that you have less experience than them. In order to work for a Baby Boomer, they need to feel like their experience is worth something to you.

This means that whenever possible, you should defer to their judgment if a big decision or challenge is at stake. This will not only establish a positive rapport between you and your Baby Boomer boss, but it will also help you learn and develop problem-solving skills in your career.

Show Your Work Ethic

Work ethic goes a long way for a Baby Boomer. Because Baby Boomers are so used to working long hours on hard projects, they also want to see you putting in that much effort. While you shouldn’t have to stay until sunset every night, it wouldn’t hurt to let them know that you’ve been putting in extra time or personal time on a project that’s particularly important to you. Or, you can prove your work ethic to them by offering extra help on a project that’s vital to the company’s success.

Develop a Personal Relationship

Baby Boomers prioritize personal, face-to-face relationships over any other type of relationship. If you want to be on your Baby Boomer boss’s good side, make it a point to regularly scheduled meetings with him or her. This will let your boss know that you’re not only serious about your job and duties, but you’re also serious about your personal relationship with him/her. When you do this, you should see an improvement in communication, which will also help you with your career endeavors down the road.

If you are interested in finding your next career, contact Award Staffing. No matter what generation you’re in, we will be able to match you up with a company that can work with your unique skill sets and offerings.

 

FINDING YOUR TALENT

Want to learn more about how Award Staffing can help your organization with your staffing and employment needs? Start by providing our team with a few pieces of information about yourself, and we will take care of the rest.

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Managing Baby Boomers in The Minnesota Labor Market

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Baby Boomers are coming to the points in their careers where some are starting to step down or retire in favor of having a Gen X-er or a Millennial replace them. If you are in charge of a Baby Boomer, keep in mind that they have likely been in the workforce a lot longer than you have and expect a certain degree of respect. Here’s what you need to keep in mind when you’re managing a Baby Boomer.

Give Structure

Baby Boomers are used to structure, and they prefer it as a way of accomplishing things. When you’re asking your Baby Boomer to finish or complete certain tasks, make sure you communicate the preferred milestones you want for the project. This will help them manage their time effectively and figure out how much extra time would need to be dedicated to each project. They will also appreciate the structure because it will reinforce their need to be at work during that particular time as opposed to leaving early or going on vacation.

Make Yourself Available

Baby Boomers prioritize face-to-face relationships over any other type of interaction, including phone, e-mail, text, conference call, etc. If you are managing a Baby Boomer, you will need to make yourself available on an in-person basis for them to really feel connected and like they’re able to make an impact.

When you make yourself available in-person, you’re reinforcing for them that they’re an integral part of the workforce without whom you wouldn’t be able to survive. They will be able to ask you questions and tout their accomplishments, and they would much rather do this in person than by any other means of communication.

Remind Them to Relax

Baby Boomers are used to working themselves to the core. If you’re managing a Baby Boomer, remind them to relax and stress the importance of work-life balance. This isn’t something they will like or necessarily want to do, but try to suggest it as a reward for their hard work.

Though most will be reluctant to accept the acknowledgment, this is something you need to be aware of as a Baby Boomer manager. You ultimately want your employees to be happy and healthy; this is one small way you can aid this effort.   If they could have it their way, Baby Boomers would work as much as humanly possible. As a Baby Boomer manager, you are responsible for helping them balance their strong work-ethic and your company’s needs.

If you are in need of finding quality associates to hire, contact Award Staffing. We will be able to match you up with hardworking associates who meet your company’s needs.

 

FINDING YOUR TALENT

Want to learn more about how Award Staffing can help your organization with your staffing and employment needs? Start by providing our team with a few pieces of information about yourself, and we will take care of the rest.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.