Generational Differences Activity



Generational Differences Activities

Self Quiz

Circle the description that best describes your perception of work in each row. Then, add up your score for all columns.

| |4 |3 |2 |1 |

|Attitude toward work |If they say “jump”, I say |If they say “jump”, I |If they say “jump”, I want |If they say “jump”, I |

|assignments |“how high”. |think about doing it a |to know what’s in it for |say “Why?” |

| | |better way, then I jump. |me. | |

|Role of working women|Women should stay home and |Women have come a long |Women should have the same |Is there a difference |

| |raise the children. |way. Some women are even |opportunities as men in the|between men and women? |

| | |capable of holding high |workplace. | |

| | |level positions within an | | |

| | |organization. | | |

|Perception of work |I’ll work at the same company|I’ll work at a company |I’ll work at a job until |Work? I thought we were|

|life |from cradle to grave. |well into my 60’s, and |something better comes |supposed to have fun and|

| | |then maybe do something |along – more money is |experience all we could.|

| | |else. |always better but |If it feels like work, I|

| | | |opportunity for quick |don’t want any part of |

| | | |advancement is best. I |it! |

| | | |don’t want to jump through | |

| | | |endless hoops to get | |

| | | |promoted. | |

|Attitudes toward |Working long hours every day |It’s hard to balance work |I’ll work from 8-5, unless |Standard working hours? |

|working hours |shows your commitment to the |and family, but work |something very important |If there’s nothing |

| |organization. Your family |should come before family |comes up. Flexibility on |interesting to do at |

| |will always be there, but the|if a choice needs to be |the job is really important|work I should be able to|

| |company may fail if I don’t |made. |to me. |go home. Getting in |

| |work hard. | | |early is also a problem.|

If you scored near 20, you think like the Mature Generation; 15-19 points like a Baby Boomer; 10-14 points as Generation X; and 5-9points like the Millennial (Generation Y).

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Each generation has its own way of looking at the world and workplace issues. Visit the web sites listed below to learn more about generational differences.

Generational Differences chart at: **http%3a//ats.wilmore.ky.us/academics/biacl/notebooks/07/watson_appendix1.pdf

Audio Files: templates/story/story.php?storyId=5125730

1. “A Generational Gap in Work Philosophy” Commentary by Baxter Black (3:22 run time)

2. “Generational Differences in the Workplace” Interview with CEO Fred Miller and President Corey Jamison from the Kaleel Jamison Consulting Group (7:06 run time)

Using the following table, indicate the steps you could take to increase the performance quality of each generation of workers in your organization within the job-related categories below.

| |Boomers |Gen X |Millennial (Gen Y) |

|Communication Skills | | | |

| | | | |

|Adherence to standard | | | |

|working hours | | | |

|Promotions | | | |

|Repetitive job | | | |

|assignments that need to | | | |

|be done each month | | | |

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Role Play Exercise

Select three students to assume the roles of Ken, the Human Resources manger, and an older employee in the scenario below. Role play the interaction that might occur between them, as described in the second paragraph. If time allows, select several groups of students and role play different outcomes.

Scenario

Ken is 24 and a relatively new recruit to your company. He is very bright and shows much potential. He’s definitely a person your company doesn’t want to lose. However, lately he’s been coming into the office late and leaving early. His work is completed and done well, yet it’s bothering several of your older employees to see Ken’s lack of commitment to the company and disregard for the understood working hours.

As the Human Resources manager, how do you make Ken understand the hours he is expected to work at the company without making him angry? What do you tell your older employees who think Ken is a slacker and refuse to work on team projects with him?

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