Generational Differences in the Workplace
 [Infographic] (2024)

Generational Differences in the Workplace Infographic Content

Traditionalists

Born: 1925–1945

Dependable, straightforward, tactful, loyal

Shaped by: The Great Depression, World War II, radio, and movies

Motivated by: Respect, recognition, providing long-term value to the company

Communication style: Personal touch, handwritten notes instead of email

Worldview: Obedience over individualism; age equals seniority; advancing through the hierarchy

Baby Boomers

Born: 1946–1964

Optimistic, competitive, workaholic, team-oriented

Shaped by: The Vietnam War, civil rights movement, Watergate

Motivated by: Company loyalty, teamwork, duty

Communication style: Whatever is most efficient, including phone calls and face-to-face

Worldview: Achievement comes after paying one’s dues; sacrifice for success

Stats:

• 49% of Baby Boomers expect to or already are working past age 70 or do not plan to retire¹
• 10,000 Baby Boomers reach retirement age every day²

Generation X

Born: 1965–1980

Flexible, informal, skeptical, independent

Shaped by: The AIDs epidemic, the fall of the Berlin Wall, the dot-com boom

Motivated by: Diversity, work-life balance, their personal-professional interests rather than the company's interests

Communication style: Whatever is most efficient, including phone calls and face-to-face

Worldview: Favoring diversity; quick to move on if their employer fails to meet their needs; resistant to change at work if it affects their personal lives

Stats:

• 55% of startup founders are Gen Xers — the highest percentage³
• By 2028, Gen Xers will outnumber Baby Boomers⁴

Millennials

Born: 1981–2000

Competitive, civic- and open-minded, achievement-oriented

Shaped by: Columbine, 9/11, the internet

Motivated by: Responsibility, the quality of their manager, unique work experiences

Communication style: IMs, texts, and email

Worldview: Seeking challenge, growth, and development; a fun work life and work-life balance; likely to leave an organization if they don't like change

Stats:

• 75% percent of the global workforce will be made up of Millennials by 2025⁵
• 18% of Millennial men ages 25–34 live at home with their parents⁶
• 12% of Millennial women ages 25–34 live at home with their parents⁶

Generation Z

Born: 2001–2020

Global, entrepreneurial, progressive, less focused

Shaped by: Life after 9/11, the Great Recession, access to technology from a young age

Motivated by: Diversity, personalization, individuality, creativity

Communication style: Social media, texts, IMs

Worldview: Self-identifying as digital device addicts; valuing independence and individuality; prefer to work with Millennial managers, innovative coworkers, and new technologies

Stats:

• 67% of Gen Zers want to work at companies where they can learn skills to advance their careers⁷
• 80% of Gen Zers believe government and employers should subsidize, pay full tuition, or provide direct training for students⁸

References:

1. Report: Almost Half of Baby Boomers Still Working Past Age 70. NRMLA.
2. Aging. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
3. Generation X: Connecting with Health Care’s Next Big Consumer. Cosimano L. LinkedIn.
4. Millennials Overtake Baby Boomers as America’s Largest Generation. Pew Research Center.
5. Millennials in the Workplace Statistics: Generational Disparities in 2023. TeamStage.
6. Millennials Are Living with Their Parents at Higher Rates than Past Generations, and They’re not Ashamed. Business Insider.
7. Generation Z Workplace Statistics. Forage.
8. Question the Quo. ECMC Group.