How Has The Workplace Changed For Baby Boomers?
There is no denying that the workplace is very different from when we Boomers began our careers. So can we adjust? Or is it time to retire?
In a recent post, we discussed the pros and cons of retiring. The way the workplace has changed over the years could be a significant factor in your decision.
I’ve been with the same company for about sixteen years now. My work environment has changed drastically over that amount of time. But the contrast is even greater if we compare how things are today to how they were in the 1960s and 70s when Bob and I entered the work force.
There have certainly been many changes for the better. For instance, I’m guessing most of us are glad smoking has been banned indoors! But some of the ways the workplace has changed may be harder for us Boomers to adapt to.
Perhaps the biggest way the workplace has changed in the past few decades is through advances in technology.
I feel like there was a common misconception in the business world that “old people” like myself struggle with using new technology. It may not come as naturally to us as it does to younger generations who grew up with it. But recent studies have shown that the Boomer generation is more adaptable to changes in technology than many people believed.
My position as an onsite conference manager was changed dramatically by COVID. When I returned to work after several months away, I had to quickly adjust to the world of live-streaming and all the extra technical aspects that came with it. Although I’m not a particularly technical person, I did what I had to do and learned what I needed to know to do my job.
But I’ll be honest. I get frustrated dealing with the constant changes in the programs and equipment I have to use at work. It seems like every time I start a new conference, something has changed with at least one of them. And the frequent technical glitches can wear me out. I have to say, I will not miss having to deal with all that when I finally retire.
Another way the workplace has changed came as a result of the advances in technology – no clear boundaries in work hours.
Because we’re all accessible twenty-four/seven now, work spills over into our personal time. Back in the “olden days” before cellphones, email, apps, and social media, we pretty much worked our shift for the day and then we were off. Like, completely turned off from work. Not so much any more.
Now we’re receiving emails and text messages around the clock. My company’s office is in California and we live in Florida. The three-hour time difference means I often receive communications needing to be addressed after five o’clock.
In addition, business in general no longer operates on the traditional Monday-Friday, nine-to-five hours we grew up with. This necessitates some non-traditional work hours for many of us. When I’m working a conference, I’m typically away from home Wednesday to Sunday, and those are usually very long travel and/or work days. Lots of people I know work inconsistent hours, or evening and weekend shifts.
Maybe the younger generations have the energy to deal with the constant barrage of communications and never-ending work time, but I’m finding it harder to stay “on” for long periods as I age.
Did you know that for the first time ever, there are five generations in the workplace today?
It’s pretty amazing to think that people of every age-from the “Traditionalists” (born 1925 to 1945) to the “Gen Z’s” (born 2001 to 2020)-are working together around the world today. It can also present some challenges.
Each generation has its own unique characteristics. This fascinating infographic details the different motivations, communication styles, and worldviews for each generation. It’s inevitable that sometimes these will clash.
I work with mostly Millennials and Gen Z’s. It took some time for me to recognize that they see themselves as team members rather than being in leader/support roles. They also don’t equate age or length of employment with seniority. I’ve had to adjust my perspectives and the way I naturally prefer to do things in many areas. Sometimes it can be difficult, annoying, and/or humbling to do so. But it’s par for the course if we want to remain in the workplace today.
Have you walked through a public place lately and noticed that no one is making eye contact with you?
You might think everyone is avoiding you. But it’s probably because things have become more impersonal today. If you’re a Boomer who’s accustomed to face-to-face communications and an in-person workplace, that can be hard to adjust to on the job.
According to this article about Boomers in the workplace, we prefer more personal communications. I agree. I would much rather pick up the phone for a quick call about an issue than send numerous emails back and forth. Truthfully, I don’t like texting, either. I hate having to spell out what would come faster and more naturally by speaking it out. And do we really need the Slack app for inter-office communications? Can’t we use the email and texting we’re already using all day? Call me old-fashioned…
I also think it’s harder to build and maintain good working relationships when I only see people in person once in a while. And I feel like it’s easy for details to get missed and the overall quality of the work to go down when everyone is separated rather than together in an office. But my younger co-workers enjoy working remotely and don’t see any problems or disadvantages with the new arrangements. Just one more thing to adjust to for us Boomers.
I am trying to be careful about how I word things here. And that’s something else that can be difficult in the workplace today.
At the risk of getting myself in trouble, let me come right out and say it. It can be nerve-wracking to always be trying not to offend someone in the workplace. Don’t get me wrong. I firmly believe we should be kind and considerate to everyone, and careful with what we say and how we act. I am also an ardent supporter of measures that strengthen equal rights and promote dignity and fair treatment for everyone. But it can be stressful to maintain awareness of every little thing you say or do and how it could potentially offend someone. (I’m probably offending someone right now by saying that, and if so, I apologize.)
An interesting article on this subject states that researchers from the University of Florida found constant self-censorship at work can deplete emotional resources and leave employees feeling mentally fatigued. Add that to the other challenges we Boomers face in the workplace today with ever-changing technology, no clear work/personal life boundaries, dealing with multi-generational co-workers, and adjusting to different communication styles and it’s no wonder I can feel exhausted by my job.