Intergenerational Warfare in the U.S. Workplace, or Nothing More Than Growing Pains?

摘要

Based on press reports of certain studies, you would think that workplaces seethe with conflict between members of the Silent generation (born before 1946), Baby Boomers ('46 to '64), Gen Xers ('64-'84), and Gen Y or Millennials (born after '85). The authors examine these highly publicized reports and many others and conclude that employees' values, attitudes, and work ethics-which often differ widely-are much more likely to reflect their age, experience, career path, and maturity than their generation. Reports of generational conflict usually focus on the Millennials. Nothing new here! Public stereotypes of the youngest generation entering the workforce "have remained remarkably stable over the past 40 years."