May 2020
Each generation will have a role to play in designing the post-COVID “new normal” based on its unique strengths and age-location, according to generational expert Jesse Newburn. Baby Boomers will be called upon as society’s “moral compass,” Gen Xers will respond with resiliency to act pragmatically while getting results, and Millennials will rise to calls for personal sacrifice with optimism and community-spirit. (Fast Company)
Millennials are experiencing the third major economic shock of their young adult lives, leaving many feeling as though their generation may “never catch a break.” A young adulthood spent amid rising wealth inequality, years of wage stagnation and underemployment, and now another global recession will undoubtedly shape how Millennials view the government's role in society. (The Wall Street Journal)
As many workplaces have transitioned to remote work in a time of unprecedented upheaval, many managers are wondering how to keep their teams engaged and productive. The best tips are straightforward: good communication, common-sense flexibility, and time spent team-building – even over video-conferencing. (Forbes)
The author of The Gen X Code hopes to document his generation’s response to Coronavirus to “help everyone channel some Gen X pragmatism and perspective.” Many Xer “latchkey kids” agree that, in these troubled times, they are falling back on lessons learned during a childhood of being left to their own devices. (The Newport Buzz)
Younger employees are having the most difficulty adjusting to remote work and are feeling less connected and informed than their older coworkers. Despite being more technologically savvy, Millennials and Gen Z still thrive on guidance and feedback; managers can help them transition effectively by providing more context, structure, and updates – more than just video check-ins. (Smartsheet)
Preliminary research suggests that the Coronavirus crisis has led to not only unemployment, but a total departure from the labor force for many Baby Boomers. While it is still too early to be certain, one of the lasting repercussions of this pandemic may be an earlier than anticipated retirement for a generation of workaholics. (University of Chicago)
Many experts believe that the COVID-19 pandemic will bring about the end of the “open office,” a floor plan originally popularized in workspaces hoping to appeal to the collaborative, sociable Millennial generation. As workplaces slowly reopen, managers will need to redesign their office layout to meet public health guidelines, and reassess their approach to team-building amid social distancing. (National Geographic)
Millennials and Gen Z are preparing to see educational and professional opportunities disappear as a result of Coronavirus – one professor notes: “College graduates and people finishing graduate programs this summer...are going to really struggle to find work.” Similar to the Great Recession, those just starting their careers will likely experience broad, long-lasting repercussions. (The Atlantic)