The battle of old farts and upstarts

Australian workplaces are a battleground, with Baby Boomers and Gen X vying for control, according to workplace expert Karen Schmidt.

Gen X is wondering when their turn will come because Baby Boomers will not leave – for many, their savings were cut by the financial crisis and they can’t afford to retire.

”(Managers) want their generation to win, for the workplace to take their prevailing attitude,” Ms Schmidt said.

The battle was titled ”Old farts and upstarts” in research published in the US recently.

”The sounds of generations in conflict are heard around the water cooler, across the cafeteria table, at the coffee bar and on the email whine boards of 1001 corporations,” the research said.

Among the complaints are that younger workers have no loyalty or work ethic and that older workers dismiss ideas of their younger co-workers.

And while Gen X has to fight for recognition against the Boomers, they are also fending off the Gen Ys behind them.

”It should not be a tussle. It should be about using the strength of all groups to create balance and reflect the customer base,” Ms Schmidt said, suggesting managers start mediating the generation gap.

Glazing over the issue, head pastry chef at Jupiters Casino on the Gold Coast, Herbert Tossman, 48, said everyone in their kitchen got along well.

”I think you need to know how to deal with different generations, which I never see as a problem,” the Baby Boomer and father-of-two said.

”There are misunderstandings here sometimes, but it wouldn’t be a workplace if there wasn’t.”

Demi pastry chef Angela Foden, 32, said every person on staff brought something different to the workplace.

”The young kids keep you young and make you laugh and everyone has good stories to tell,” she said.

”We don’t only have different generations, we have different nationalities as well, and everyone gets on most of the time – like any workplace.”

THE KNIVES ARE OUT …

Gen Y: Born 1985-2000

Plugged in 24 hours a day. Optimistic, culturally accepting and cynical of marketing.

Gen X: Born 1965-84

Highly educated and work to live rather than live to work. Work hard, play hard ethic.

Baby Boomers: Born 1946-64

Motivated by position and perks. Believe they can change the world.

Builders: Born 1927-45

The silent generation. Influenced by authority and consider it a privilege to have a job.