Generational Theory In The Workplace

Introduction- Generational Theory is a theory of social history that describes and explains changes in public attitudes over time. Generation is defined as people that are grouped within a certain range of ages, location they live, and significant life events they experienced at critical developmental stages. Generational shift is playing a major role in shaping the future of the workplace. Skilled and talented young employees have more employment choices and consequently gaining a deep understanding of their values, attitudes, and behaviors. The most common factors that drive young knowledge workers to leave for another job are: more challenging work, better location, better working relationship with their supervisors, and higher salary. Today’s

The factors that are responsible for these changes are demographics, values, work values, working environment and lifestyle. In today’s time they are the ones who forms the major part of the organization employees. Life style and work environment are the important factors which are responsible for your attitude at work. Literature suggests that both the generations X and Y emphasize on the work life balance in their own terms. Work life balance takes an important place while making decisions for the job. Gen Y individuals focus on their studies and most of them go for higher education to achieve success. Because of this hard work, they are more likely to negotiate their work terms all throughout their career. Gen Y are phobic to do overtime and focus on quality work. However Gen X believes in doing a lot of work and will work in non-formal environment as well. In the present business environment, economic changes and advancements in technology have radically altered the face and structure of many business corporations. Transformation takes place in every workplace. In order to increase organizational effectiveness, particularly in relationship with the workers, the managers need to identify the generational differences between both the generations. Work values of individuals are believed to be influenced by age cohort or generations. Organizations must be able to respond quickly to the ongoing changes in the organizations. Generation X was born between 1960s to 1980s. This generation experienced economic difficulties while entering into the workforce. Gen X came of age during a bleak job market, soaring national debt, lack of opportunities and there existed harsh economic realities. Gen Y was born between 1980s and 2000. These people grew up in a time of economic expansion they have never experienced a