Abstract:

The current workplace is populated with a diverse workforce, especially in terms of age and generational perspectives. For the first time, we have four distinct generational cohorts in the workplace at one time. Research has suggested that there are some attitudinal differences among the generations. The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) (2004) surveyed 258 human resource professionals in the United States. Their study found generally positive relations between the generations, but about 40% observed conflict among employees as a result of generational differences. Forty-two percent of the SHRM respondents reported that their organization has lost employees who are members of the two youngest generations because they felt that the members in the organization from the two older generations held top positions and they would not advance fast enough (Society for Human Resource Management, 2004).

The Midway College Generational Research Team that included faculty in the Business and Education Divisions sought to discover if there were significant differences among generations’ workplace attitudes in central Kentucky businesses and schools. The survey participants were employed in manufacturing, service, health care, and education. The results show several statistically significant differences between the generations. These findings will prove useful to human resource personnel, in the for profit, nonprofit, and government sectors seeking employees from any of the generations studied. Organizations may choose to tailor their recruiting based on some of the information found. For example, when seeking recent college graduates, the organization may do well to emphasize their many opportunities for advancement, and recognize that a strong pension program may not be a draw for that age group. The results of the study will be of use to managers as well, as they could use the information on close supervision, competition, meetings on a day-to-day basis and the development of communication processes that facilitate institutional knowledge transfer between generations.