Just prick the surface of Generation Xers’ feelings about life Inside large corporations, and you’ll likely discover a flood of concerns, as we found in reader responses to the BusinessWeek .compost “Ten Reasons Gen Xers Are Unhappy at Work.” This article was originally posted on Harvard Business.org . What, realistically, can corporations do? Don’t expect that the same approaches that worked well with a boomer workforce will work equally well with Xers. And don’t assume that Xers will come to value the same things boomers did “when they grow up.” Xers are grown up—and they don’t think like boomers. Teen experiences as latchkey kids and watching adults get laid off from corporations left many in Generation X feeling that one of the most important life priorities is to be able to take care of themselves under any circumstances. So, what Xers want from companies are jobs that offer a variety of career paths and allow them to gain fresh, marketable skills, build a strong network of contacts, and put money in the bank. And that’s what corporations should focus on to make themselves more appealing to Xers. 

Questions

1. Why is it important for managers to understand what Generation X employees want from their jobs and organizations? 

2. How might a lack of understanding between Baby Boom employees and Generation X employees lead to problems in the workplace? 

3. Why is it important for Generation X employees to have time to spend with their children and their families? 

4. What can managers and organizations do to increase understanding among employees of different generations or age groups?