If you were born between 1980 and the mid-1990s, you're a card-carrying member of generation Y, one of the most heavily researched generations in history.
This age group has seen what work has done to their parents and grandparents and has grown up with an attitude that 'it won't happen to me'," says Melinda Muth, senior consultant for business growth strategist Streamwise. "They view work as only one portion of their life and want immediate gratification."
In the workplace, gen Ys have a reputation for being tech-savvy, high-maintenance, overconfident and easily bored. They expect success early in their career and a high salary to boot.
In contrast, generation Xs (born between 1961 and 1979) tend to be sceptical, highly individual workers who value job security. Their predecessors, baby boomers (born 1945 to 1960), are known for conservative values and are considered technophobic.
Unlike gen Y, boomers value loyalty to employers.
Many gen Ys see the Xs as whingers and don't understand why they continue in a particular job if they hate it," Ms Muth says. "Gen Ys believe there are so many opportunities in the workforce to experience. Gen Xs see gen Ys as lacking a work ethic."
Gen Xs and boomers frequently comment that gen Ys have never experienced true economic hardship. Little wonder that gen Ys' confidence can rub them the wrong way. "Gen Ys come with a lot of attitude," says KPMG demographer Bernard Salt. "This has been reinforced by their parents, who indulge them and tell them how special they are, and schoolteachers who never fail them. No wonder gen Xs are bitter. They've been biding their time waiting for the top job, but management seem to focus on gen Y: 'Are we paying you enough, gen Y? Are people being mean to you, gen Y? Can we get you a pillow, gen Y?' " But life for gen Y isn't as peachy as gen Xs seem to believe.
Account manager for Polkadot PR Elise Whitelaw, 22, found it frustrating when previous employers bought into the stereotype that gen Ys are serial job-hoppers. "When long-term projects were discussed, I wasn't really involved," she says. "I think there was an assumption that I was going to jump ship just for the sake of jumping ship. I felt a lot of my creative input wasn't taken seriously."
So how do you get by if you're a gen Y in a gen X workplace?
Organisational psychologist Christopher Shen says that regardless of generation, it is always helpful for employees to keep in mind the motivations and values of those around them, particularly clients and superiors.
When communicating with gen Xs and baby boomers, gen Ys should check their natural assuredness and exuberance, and demonstrate recognition of their senior colleagues' achievements and tenure," Mr Shen says.
It's not about stopping your normal behaviour but being a bit pragmatic and prudent until you get a chance to critically analyse the working environment.In other words, don't invite your new colleagues to become your Facebook friends until you get to know them.
Chief executive of the Voice Clinic Monique Harrisberg recommends gen Ys adopt the communication style of their workplace. If a colleague sends a formal request to join them in a meeting, they should reply in a similar style. If they are going to negotiate a pay rise, they should frame their case in terms of what they can contribute to the company, rather than what they think they deserve.
Originally published September 20,2008
Published on TheAge.com.au, 17 October 2008.
