Running Head: Baby Boomers in the Workforce
Baby Boomers in the Workforce
An analysis of the Baby Boomer generation reveals two distinct characteristics: the desire to work longer years and the lack of motivation to achieve higher stature within their current position. Outside influences regarding family and personal life can help explain why these characteristics exist, and the analysis of the Baby Boomer generation and their conflicts in motivation, values, ambitions, views, mindsets and demographics will give reason why this generation is motivated by a different purpose in the workplace.
Cultural generational changes create trends that can be noticed over time. Looking at the background and characteristics of each generation can be useful in understanding the distinctive talents and challenges each individual group brings to the workplace, as well as identifying long-range trends that are changing the culture of the workplace. There appear to be distinctive trends toward dual-career families and an interest in having flexible work arrangements that help employees achieve balance between their work and family life. Today’s employers are faced with the challenge of a blending workforce made up of a multitude of generations including both the younger Generation X & Y and the older generations which make up the Baby Boomers. This paper does not address the “Matures” generation because their influence in the workforce does not directly impact the changes that are discussed affecting the Baby Boomer generation.
The Baby Boomer generation is generally comprised of men and women ages 38-57, while the Generation X category refers those between the ages of 23-37 and Generation Y those 18-22 years of age. (“Generation & Gender”, n.d.) Baby Boomers value personal growth, hard work, individuality, and equality of the sexes. They question authority and have led a trend toward...