---
title: "Do Employers understand the Generations in their workplace? Here is a quick reference guide!"
description: "Beginning in the 1980s in America, we had four (now soon to be five) distinct generations working side-by-side in the work­place.  Here is a quick reference chart for employers on the generations curr..."
url: https://www.dashrconsulting.com/do-employers-understand-the-generations-in-their-workplace-here-is-a-quick-reference-guide/
date: 2013-06-24
modified: 2013-07-21
author: "Dr. Di Ann Sanchez"
image: https://www.dashrconsulting.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/generations_in_workplace.jpg
categories: ["Human Resources", "Talent Management"]
tags: ["generations in the workplace", "managing generations in the workplace"]
type: post
lang: en
---

# Do Employers understand the Generations in their workplace? Here is a quick reference guide!

##### ![generations_in_workplace](https://www.dashrconsulting.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/generations_in_workplace-300x215.jpg)

Beginning in the 1980s in America, we had four (now soon to be five) distinct generations working side-by-side in the work­place.  Here is a quick reference chart for employers on the generations currently in the workplace and their core values:

- Veterans (b. 1922-1945)
- Boomers (b. 1946-1964)
- Generation X (b. 1965-1980)
- Generation Y (b. 1981-2000)
- Generation Z (2001 and after) – not yet in the workplace but coming soon!

| **Lifestyle Characteristics by Generation** |   |
| --- | --- |
|   | **Veterans** | **Baby Boomers** | **Generation X** | **Generation Y** |
| *Major Cultural Events* | World War II Great Depression The New Deal | Vietnam War Civil Rights Movement Woodstock | AIDS epidemic Internet revolution MTV | Columbine 9/11 2004 Presidential Election |
| *General Qualities* | Straightforward Thorough Reluctant to change Uncomfortable with conflict | Desire to please Service-oriented Social Driven | Adaptable Independent Creative Openly speak opinions | Multi-taskers Tolerant Tenacious Highly involved |
| **Core Values** |   |   |   |   |
| *Communication* | Formal Memo | In-person Telephone | Direct Immediate Email | Limited In-person Texting Social Media |
| *Work Ethic* | Hard work Respect authority Duty Adhere to rules and policy | Workaholics Question authority Driven to succeed Team player | Work-life balance Self-reliant Entrepreneurial Telecommuting OK | Looking for meaning Dedicated Goal-oriented Desire to ‘do it all’ |
| *Working With Others* | Independent but value working well with others | Care deeply what others think Team-oriented | Prefer to work alone | Prefer small groups |

 Reference: Millennial Myth Busting, By Ann Clark*  CEO and Founder of San Diego-based *[***ACI Specialty Benefits***](http://www.acispecialtybenefits.com/)*,*Wednesday, March 27, 2013, HR Dailly Advisor