The document discusses generational differences between Baby Boomers and Generation Y in the workplace. It provides perspectives from Anne-Louise Clark, a Baby Boomer, and Rahima Shariff, a member of Generation Y, at three points in Rahima's first job: before starting, after one month, and after six months. It also outlines some of the key differences between how each generation seeks fulfillment and opportunities at work according to research. Both generations express learning more about working with those from other generations over Rahima's first six months on the job.

1. The Generation Game
Anne-Louise Clark (Baby Boomer)
Rahima Shariff (Generation Y)
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2. Three days to go
What were you thinking …
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3. Generation Y
 Updating facebook status looking forward to
making wicked group of friends
 Drinks after work – can’t wait!!!!!
 Great career boost - Am on the path
 Was told they really want young blood and I’ll
be working with senior managers to shape the
organisation
 Expect its going to be really high tech
 People will see me as young and
inexperienced
 Worried that it might be last in first out if there
are job cuts
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4. Baby Boomer
 Will leave a postit note on my desk to remind
me to get her desk ready and print out all the
policies and procedures
 Really looking forward to having another pair
of hands in the team – I am so busy
 Must finalise the induction programme and
buddy with Jane she know the ropes and I thinks a
daughter her age
 Have identified some tasks I need doing to
ease her in gently – after all this is her first real job
 Just a bit worried that she may not appreciate
the way we do things here …
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5. One month in
What are you thinking now
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6. Generation Y
 Loving the flexible working conditions –
great work life balance
 People are so weird about their desks
and what hell are tea clubs
 So much paper to carry about, ironic to
get a paper copy of the ICT Strategy
 Not yet been introduced to any senior
managers
 OMG Only got one BBM pin so far …
lame
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7. Baby Boomer
 Wow she is fantastic on the computer – no
idea how she does it – I keep asking her to weave
her magic with excel! Result!
 It is great she got loads of ideas but I can’t
always drop everything to discuss them in depth – I
am so busy!
 Need to talk to her about interacting with the
team more – I wonder what the policy is on
confiscating her phone
 She keeps asking me about training,
development and future opportunities
already ... one step at a time I say
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8. It has been six months now
What have you learned?
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9. Generation Y
 Tea making can be just as social as
after work drinks – great way to network
 Not just old and crusty but experience
really does count for a lot
 A good manager makes a huge
difference I can see myself here in four to
five years time
 You only get out what you put – I need
to get involved and get noticed
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10. Baby Boomer
 I really appreciate the fresh thinking that
she has brought to the team
 Having someone who if happy to work
more flexibly leaves us time to focus on
outcomes
 I need to find opportunities for personal
development and keep her stimulated –
don’t want her to leave
 I have another new starter around her
age and I will buddy them together
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11. What the research tells us?
Baby boomers Generation Y
Seek authority to make Expects empowerment to
decisions get things done
Stays with current Changes job every 2 – 3
employer more than any years
other generation
Organisation demonstrates Challenging work and able
social/environ responsibility to get things done
Movement up the See promotion as more of
‘corporate ladder’ a ‘scramble net’.
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12. What the research tells us?
Baby boomers Generation Y
Want autonomy and Want specialist skills
serving the community development
See themselves as
technological multi-taskers
Don’t want to be micro
managed
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13. Any Questions
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14. And finally
Gen Y – ‘You don’t necessarily need to tick boxes in your life
plan – you need to maximise the here and now …’
BB – ‘The constant need to provide opportunities for creative
challenges, professional development and recognition can be
difficult but rewarding’.
Gen Y – ‘Don’t be threatened – I here to learn not take your job’.
BB – ‘Just because I’m over 45 don’t think am over the hill’
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