October 2019
The Business Roundtable has shifted its priorities from shareholders to employee and community welfare in a groundbreaking statement signed by 181 CEOs. Given that over 40% of younger generations support active corporate engagement, compared to only 25% of Silents and Boomers, the statement is “consistent with a historic generational shift toward corporate activism.” (PRWeek)
Younger employees are increasingly pushing back against “workaholism,” rejecting prestigious titles and salaries and opting for jobs with increased flexibility. Baby Boomers may have defined themselves with rigid career goals and long hours, but the Millennials searching for work-life balance are no less passionate about their chosen fields. (The New York Times)
Fully 88% of Gen Z says it is important to them that a future employer offers some type of structured training program. This overprotected generation is just starting to enter the workforce—their lack of soft skills and need for guidance mean that informal, learning on-the-job just won’t cut it anymore. (Sitel)
More than four in 10 Gen Zers admit they have avoided asking their employer for training on a specific topic or activity. Sheltered Gen Z is completely unfamiliar with unstructured projects and managers would do well to check in more frequently with younger employees who are accustomed to constant guidance. (Sitel)
Marking the start of another school year, the most recent “Mindset List” has been released. Some of the most striking observations for the class of 2023: “Like Pearl Harbor for their grandparents, and the Kennedy assassination for their parents, 9/11 is an historical event,” and, “Apple iPods have always been nostalgic.” (Marist)
A recent viral tweet suggested a reality show in which Baby Boomers follow their own 30-year-old advice on a modern job hunt. While the post was a joke, parents advising Millennial children should take note: “If you base your tips on your own decades-old job search experiences, you risk doing more harm than good.” (Next Avenue)
In the last year, smartphone ownership and social media usage has increased more among the Silent generation than any other. Their numbers are still far lower than Millennials, Xers, or Boomers, however, and some roadblocks to their adoption of new technologies include a lack of confidence and a physical difficulty manipulating devices. (Pew Research Center)
Friends and its cast and creators have tried to avoid it being called a “Gen X show,” with Matt LeBlanc (Joey Tribbiani) even going so far as to say: “I don’t like it as a label. I’ve heard it used as ‘lazy,’ ‘unfocused,’ ‘drifty.’” Xers have always felt a desire to distance themselves from their generation, and this famous group of 20-somethings from the 1990s is no different. (Vulture)