August 2020
Younger Americans are more likely to wear masks than older adults, and those masks are more likely to be medical-grade (as opposed to cloth). Millennial respondents were more likely to have returned to work (where higher mask usage was reported), but this discrepancy is also largely due to the importance this generation places on community, and its inherent aversion to risk. (McKinsey & Company)
According to Gallup, when asked, “How often do you wear a mask when outside your home?" Millennials’ responses are largely distributed between “Always,” “Often,” and “Sometimes,” while Boomers’ are more closely clustered at either “Always,” and “Never.” A divided response is typical for this polarized generation of culture warriors, even in times of crisis. (Gallup)
The success of new hybrid-remote work initiatives depends largely on an office’s generational style of leadership. Baby Boomer workaholism and strict hierarchies may lead to inefficient processes and a feeling of exclusion among remote team members, while agile, Xer-style workplaces with flatter organizational structures should be able to accommodate hybrid employees more easily. (Wired)
Summer jobs for young people, which have been scarce since the Great Recession, have virtually disappeared during the pandemic. Over-achieving and over-scheduled, Millennials and Gen Z are either working year-round or spending their summers vying for internships to better compete in tight labor markets. (Vox)
Adults over 60 have coped better emotionally with the pandemic than those aged 18 to 39, reportedly feeling less stressed and less threatened. Much of this variation is due to life-stage rather than generational differences – older adults are less likely to be experiencing the childcare issues, unemployment, or financial stress that have beset Millennials and Xers. (Ladders)
As the pandemic wears on, all generations are adjusting to new zoom meeting etiquette "rules" – punctuality, sitting still, and no multi-tasking or eating are among the best-practice recommendations. This new set of soft skills will help define what it means to be "professional" in the workplace. (The Wall Street Journal)
As white-collar employees grow accustomed to working in sweatpants, the pandemic is set to accelerate changes in what is considered “workplace appropriate” attire. This trend towards casual workwear was already underway, fueled by the growing popularity of athleisure and the ascension of a younger, less fastidious generation into management. (NBC)
The United States is facing a child-care crisis caused by pandemic-related school shutdowns and an upcoming wave of day-care closures and bankruptcies. This burden is borne largely by already over-extended Xers and Millennials (particularly women), as couples reassess the feasibility of a dual-income household and single parents grapple with an impossible catch-22. (Politico)