Baby boomers the most disliked work colleagues: Survey
26/05/2011
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Baby boomers are the most unpopular demographic in the workplace, according to the latest Leadership, Employment and Direction Survey.The 'Generations' survey found that only 4% of Generation X and Y staff want to work with boomers, both preferring their own generation at 57% and 53% respectively.
Generation X reportedly found their mature colleagues to be inflexible and set in their ways, while Generation Y can’t handle the boomers’ ineptitude with technology.
Strangely, the survey even found that baby boomers themselves do not want to work with other boomers, with four out of five saying their peers were self-obsessed and determined to do things their way.
Generation Y were found to be the generation that most groups wanted to work with.
The research, commissioned by Leadership Management Australasia, surveyed 774 workers spread across the public, private and not-for-profit sectors.
However, Alison Monroe, managing director of specialist ageing workforce consultancy SageCo, said the small survey sample applies very broad generalisations to an age group that encompasses over a third of Australia’s workforce.
“Certainly there are instances where mature workers can be inflexible and set in their ways, but equally there are mature workers who are highly engaged, dynamic, flexible and innovative,” she said.
“I think that for every Gen Y that is dynamic, high potential and smart, there is one that is underperforming and unproductive. It cuts both ways.”
Monroe said that if there are mature workers who could be said to be inflexible, employers need to ask what part they play in that.
“If they haven’t been investing in their mature workers over time, if they haven’t been developing them or giving them opportunities to develop and learn, then what we’re doing is unskilling our mature workers over time so we end up with a pool of workers that are not as marketable as they could be or should be,” she said.
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Heidi Holmes on
26 May 2011 06:06 PM
I agree with Alison Monroe's comments. While I am Gen Y myself I believe passionately in the benefits of having an age diverse workforce. I own and operate adage.com.au, Australia's leading job board for mature age workers which helps connect mature age jobseekers with age friendly employers. With the 45-54 age bracket being the fastest growing labour market segment in the next decade we can no longer ignore this valuable and experienced talent pool.
Paul Toulson on
27 May 2011 12:42 PM
I would be interested in the contents of the actual survey and how it was analysed, before accepting the "findings" of these results
Lawrence Atkinson on
28 May 2011 01:24 PM
Interesting survey, but I think they are way off the mark. I am 56, very tech savvy, prolific user of social media, as are many of my friends in my age group. In fact I usually end up having to explain how many techo things work to my Gen X and Y colleagues.
I appreciate that many boomers can be set in their ways, but they also have a heap of experience that they can transfer, if only the X and Y'ers would realise that they still have much to learn.
Allan Rudner on
29 May 2011 02:28 PM
For me, I think that we need to ask the right question of the findings; "What do they really tell us?" Whether they are accurate or not, the issue is more about how older people feel valuable. If they are not valued, they (as with anyone actually) will most likely go into fight or flight, thus digging in. My work in private practice and organizationally is to transition (men primarily) in their psyche through a journey of loss, grief, and new beginnings, to a place whether they are no longer competing with the younger worker but creating a role using their knowledge, experience, and wisdom to support and guide others on their journeys. This is not a linear path. I am not surprised at the findings when we bring outdated thinking to the table. Everyone needs to be seen and heard and have the opportunity to make a contribution.
Stephanie Rice on
31 May 2011 09:39 PM
No, l do not agree with the findings. It is too smaller sample group as Alison states. Inflexible and non techno savvy workers (of any age) will not last in the workforce. We all have to adapt and take responsibility for our own learning. It is an individual choice hence we cannot rely on employers to constantly up-skill with the fast pace of technical advances and globalization. It takes maturity to survive and thrive in today's modern workplace and l believe Boomers are doing it with style and grace.
Kylee on
01 Jun 2011 11:17 AM
I am not sure whether there is truth in the findings myself, but overall think there should more expereince in the workforce either old or young as not everything need s to be computerised what will happen if computers crash that's were we bring the hand written stuff back. As A Virtual Assistant we need to rely on computers, but I sometimes use the old method of hand writing for back-up.
Chris R on
02 Jun 2011 04:09 AM
774 is hardly a large sample against 12 Million people over the age of 50.