How Generations Fare on Key Workplace Traits
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IT IQ
85% agree that Millennials are thought to be tech-savvy, compared with 77% of Gen Xers and 27% of Boomers. -
Privileged Class
68% say that Millennials are perceived to be entitled, compared with 51% for Gen Xers and 32% for Boomers. -
Productivity Report
73% agree that Gen Xers are perceived to be a “productive part of my organization” compared with 69% for Boomers and 58% for Millennials. -
All for One
65% feel that Gen Xers are considered team players, compared with 56% for Boomers and 45% for Millennials. -
Nose to the Grindstone
73% agree that Boomers are hardworking, compared with 69% for Gen Xers and 39% for Millennials. -
Personnel Issues
36% feel that Millennials are difficult to work with, compared with 29% for Boomers and 16% for Gen Xers. -
Budget Boosters
68% say that Gen Xers are considered to be revenue generators, compared with 66% for Boomers and 52% for Millennials. -
Flexible Quality
More than two-thirds say that Gen Xers and Millennials are considered adaptable, compared with only about one-third for Boomers. -
Eager Beavers
68% agree that Millennials are enthusiastic at work, compared with 64% for Gen Xers and 38% for Boomers. -
Peer-to-Peer
More than seven out of 10 respondents feel that Gen Xers and Boomers are relationship-builders, compared to just over one-half for Millennials. -
Social Function
79% agree that Millennials are social-media opportunists, compared to 68% for Gen Xers and 28% for Boomers.
Can we all work well together? Yes, of course we can. But it would be naïve to pretend that there aren’t considerable differences in the ways the professional qualities and skill sets of Millennial workers (Gen Yers), Gen Xers and Baby Boomers are perceived. Recent survey findings from EY (formerly Ernst & Young) make it clear that these perceptions are very real. The survey itself focuses much of its research on Millennials, especially since a number of these young workers are now joining the management ranks. In fact, 87 percent of Millennial managers first moved into a managerial role between 2008 and 2013, compared to 38 percent of Gen Xers and 19 percent of Boomer managers, EY reports. What’s clear, however, is that all three generations are making contrasting impressions when it comes to productivity, work ethic, team-orientation, tech-savvy levels, social media usage and other important factors. More than 1,210 managers and non-manager professionals in these three generational categories (Gen Y/Millennials, Gen X and Baby Boomers) took part in the research.