News and Articles
The Evolving workplace - Are you keeping up?
26th June 2006
As a late model generation Xer myself I remember the day we sat in the office huddled around a computer which we had connected to the "World Wide Web" I recall being somewhat amazed but also dismissive of the concept, after all it wasn't really going to change the way I worked - was it?
Not long after, we got email access which enabled us to circulate jokes and communicate inexpensively with friends and family overseas,-whilst we still communicated with customers and colleagues via memo, fax or phone.
These ‘non net' days were only a little over 10 years ago. Now not only does every workstation in the country have access to the internet and email, we are also demanding remote access, the ability to download our emails on mobile phones and mobile phones that act as mini computers.
The work place is evolving constantly and the introduction of technology is a key factor in changing the way we work and interact with others.
We have occupations now that didn't exist 15 years ago, and occupations 15 years ago that are redundant now.
Due to economic and social impacts every generation has faced their own specific challenges that influences their approach to work and leadership style. Managers and employers need to be aware of the impacts affecting the latest breed of workers and leaders coming through.
New Zealand is currently experiencing a tight labour market, therfore employers need to recognise employees are as important as customers and need to maintain quality workers without them going down the road to the competition.
The technology savvy Generation Y (born between 1982 -2000) who are currently our university graduates and emerging leaders, were born into an age of affluence. They are our most sophisticated and entertained generation, they have high expectations, they want to be understood, accepted, respected and included. Their job provides them with an income to do what they want to do. It is all about having fun and fulfilment, not company loyalty.
It is the generation Xs (1965 -1981) who, as the Baby boomers are easing out of the work force, are primarily societies leaders and managers. It is this generation who witnessed the invention of the personal computer and have experienced hands on, and been instrumental in implementing technology into our workplaces. It is this generation who bore the brunt of company downsizing and restructures and it is this generation who began to experience single parent families, higher education costs and emerged from education facing high debt and high unemployment. Generations Xers are demanding feedback from their employers, recognition and work life balance.
The financially conservative baby boomers (1946-1964) however were brought up during a period of post war and have the values of company loyalty and hard work instilled in them. They don't need the touchy feeling approach of the younger generations. They are not demanding recognition they, are the knuckle down and work hard and you will reap the rewards generation.
Research has indicated that the biggest divide facing our society today is not gender or racial divides but in fact it is the generation gap.
Our workplaces and workforces are constantly evolving, and as new workers emerge an understanding of what it is that makes them tick will play a key part in attracting and maintaining quality staff.
Prepared by Liz Plank