Generation-Oriented Workplace: How to Work with X, Y, Z

See more details

There is a great buzz around the belonging of most IT workers to different generations. X, Y, Z have been around for a long time. Let’s figure out what these generations are and how to work with them to achieve the best results. After all, there are no bad generations and wrong people, there are incorrect approaches to them!

What Is the Difference Between These Generations?

First and foremost, this is a time period when a person was born, so:

• Generation Z belongs to 1996 – our time…
• Gen Y or millennials belong to 1981-1995.
• Generation X people were born between 1965 and 1980.

These people require different approaches at the workplace due to their peculiarities of the worldview, because each generation grew and developed in different socio-cultural and economic conditions. This has left an imprint on what they value and what drives them.

Generation X

Let’s start with the oldest group, as they are most integrated into modern conditions. These people already know what they want from their career and how to use skills and knowledge for finding a place in the sun.

What Are the Main Character Traits of Gen X People?

• Xers were raised in harsh conditions and people often call them “survivors”. They saw how their parents worked a lot, so they know that only hard work can drive results. Due to this assertiveness, some of them are now responsible for top Fortune 500 companies.
• They highly value time, so work-life balance is their top priority. These people divide work and personal life, keeping them separately and devoting the necessary time to every sphere. They look for harmony and efficiency to keep this balance.
• They are mature and care much about personal success, sometimes paying attention to the general world values. If you want to glue their attention, focus on ambitious goals and benefits for themselves.
• They have been watching the penetration of technology in our lives for long years and know much about how the business has been changing. These people can mentor other generations thanks to their honed skills and rich experience.

Tips for Working with Them

More and more of Gen-X representatives start obtaining higher positions making their way to top management. According to the Multi-generation entrepreneurship study, 41% of X-people call themselves “entrepreneurs.” And they are keen on that, having high enough organizational skills. 

Nevertheless, being too responsible by nature, they can set strict rules at the workplace and ask for constantly updated reports. This helps them keep everything in mind when facing even the toughest challenges.

Anyway, remember that such people highly value their personal life and need time for that though the determination of Gen-Xers can be envied. They won’t spend all day and evening at work, but their career expectations are relatively high, and without visible opportunities for growth, representatives of Gen X won’t be highly motivated.

Generation Y

Gen Y people or millennials make up the largest and most active part of the workforce.

What Are They?

• They are highly adaptive to changes, as they were raised in such conditions. A competitive environment drives them the most.
• Consequently, they know how to survive on the market and do their most to achieve high results, that’s why millennials are online 24/7 and are keen on tech innovations.
• People who belong to Generation Y are motivated by any chance to change our world for the better and are ready to participate in both commercial and non-commercial projects. The key for success is an understanding of what is being changed and what outcomes there will be.
• These people are optimistic, ambitious, creative and are ready to face challenges that open up new career opportunities for them. They welcome this world with open arms, being ready to tolerate any of its manifestations, which gives them an opportunity to deal with truly ambitious goals.

What Do They Prefer at Work?

Gen-Y representatives value networking and for success in the workplace, they need open communication. These people enjoy teamwork and see the advantages of collaborative projects. You can see that most IT companies dedicate much time to teams and find the key to achieving results.

Also, setting ambitious goals motivates them to do more. Without a clear goal, they won’t waste their time just on doing some tasks for the sake of someone’s directions.

Since the whole generation was raised in the technological environment, they know much about it and are fond of innovations such as VR, AI, machine learning. Millennials can’t imagine their lives without gadgets and use all this both in working and personal life.

Companies should focus on Generation Y and care about their productivity, as millennials are the most efficient stratum of society at the moment. Due to this, the recruiting process shouldn’t be slow. Such a fast-paced group of people can’t stand still and won’t wait for an offer for ages.

Finally, millennials care much about social responsibility and charity. If your company offers some positive social impact, they will draw positive conclusions about it. Having it as a part of the corporate culture together with convenient working conditions and career opportunities makes your company a tidbit for millennials.

See more details

Generation Z

The future basis of the world business is people who were born in 1996 and later. Some of them have just finished learning and get to work, others combine higher education and working hours.

How Does Gen Z Differ from Others?

• Globalization left an imprint on the character of these people, they feel free in any country and in any job. They are most tolerant of various ethnicities, religions, and genders. Young people are surrounded by tons of real-time news on socials and prefer to focus on positive ones while keeping a realistic attitude to everything.
• Consequently, they are focused on their own needs, do not depend on other people’s opinions, always know what they want, and care about self-actualization more than anything else.
• Among business and personal goals, these people focus on social and ecology issues. They look for the ways to help our planet and people living on it.
• Youngsters are always online. This is the main audience of messengers, that they use for communicating all day long.
• Since they were raised in the conditions of total freedom, they believe that they can do just anything. Many Gen-Z people who are often called “the next generation of entrepreneurs” already create their own startups and set even more ambitious goals than Gen-Y people do.

What Do They Like at Work?

As we have mentioned, some Z-people already have work, though many of them are still studying. They have enough energy for everything and can help with innovative tech solutions at the workplace. In the IT industry, Gen-Z programmers are making success in Junior and Middle positions.

Agile methodology drives Gen Z. Also, flexible working conditions are a must-have for companies that are aiming to hire more young workforce. Youngsters won’t sit in the office from 9 to 5 but will be eager to work remotely. The good news is that their productivity won’t suffer from this.

Just as their technological innovative gadgets, they prefer multitasking and don’t burn out due to such work format. However, tasks, challenges, and conditions should be precisely personalized.

These people know what they want and which career to choose. They are always learning, consuming every piece of useful information via online learning, conferences, courses, and so on. So, additional learning opportunities at the workplace motivates them.

Youngsters care about themselves, so social benefits are crucial. Medical insurance, gym compensation, bonuses, long vacation, less control, and free lunches will attract such workforce to companies.

How to Please Every Generation?

First of all, recruiters and HR managers should keep in mind all these peculiarities when addressing every person who they consider the best match for the vacancy. We don’t recommend specifying the preferred age in vacancy text, but if you’ve received an application from a candidate, you should clearly know what drives and motivates them. Next, you’ll have a chance to offer them the most attractive working conditions. However, beware of popular stereotypes about these generations and communicate with everyone individually based not only on your suggestions but on people’s opinions and preferences. 

Personalize and customize your communication with representatives of each generation. Share unique feedback with all these people but use different channels for that – some of them prefer email (Xers), some of them use messengers more often (Gen Z).

Finally, focus on variety. It’s great if the company’s staff consists of various generations, as this helps to achieve more variety. We are talking about managerial and creative solutions, various directions of interests, on the verge of which innovations are born.