...Discussion 6.2 Generational diversity in the workplace refers to the extent to which the workforce population of an organization represents or is influenced by people of different age groups available in the general workforce. Each generation shares similar experience growing up and views the world through their own generational experiences, influences and social values. Accordingly, each group has different approach around work life balance, employer loyalty, authority and other important issues related to the organization, all of which have a significant impact in the workplace. To be successful in maximizing the variety of needs, experiences, values and approaches based on generation and develop effective strategies as organizations continue to grow, the first step is to understand the differences among generations. The benefits of the generational diversity in the workplace are numerous. For organization whose goal are to seek growth and sustainability in the long term, leveraging and capitalizing on the value of generational diversity in the workplace can contribute to improve talent attraction, retention and engagement. Group | Characteristics | Traditionalists | Privacy | | Hard Work | | Trust | | Formality | | Authority | | Social Order | | Material Things | Baby Boomer | Competition | | Change | | Hard Work | | Success | | Teamwork | | Anti-rules and Regulations | | Inclusion | | Fight for a Cause | Generation X |...
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...A Facilitator's Conundrum: Facilitating in a Multi-generational Learning Environment Michele Hickman Sullivan University Managing Organizational Conflict CMM521X Dr. Susan Raines May 7, 2014 A Facilitator's Conundrum: Facilitating in a Multi-generational Learning Environment Introduction Learning and development are essential tools in talent management for the American workforce. The ability to learn and grow helps an organization recruit and retain top talent, as well as grow existing talent. These learning opportunities are presented to various individuals at various times. When new talent is hired, individuals with a variety knowledge, skills, and experiences are pulled together in one learning environment, a classroom, to learn the essential tasks required to perform their new role. These individuals are guided on their learning path by a facilitator. The facilitator’s role is to ensure knowledge transfer occurs to each individual in their classroom audience while maintaining an environment conducive to learning. Today’s classroom audience makes this responsibility even more challenging. The facilitator not only has to find the common denominator in knowledge, skills, and experiences; he/she also has to deliver the content simultaneously to a multi-generational audience. An audience with participants who has only heard of a typewriter or seen one in “historical” pictures to others who remember the major family purchase of a colored television and each...
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...The Significance of Diversity in Nursing Diversity in the world of nursing is crucial in order to provide sufficient care to all individuals. Nurses have to be able to provide medical needs to all types of people, regardless of personal beliefs and customs. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the relevance of diversity and nursing including the significance it can have on patients receiving nursing care, problems with the low minority population in nursing, and a summary of the generational aspect of diversity in nursing. Importance of Diversity in the Workplace Across the nation, as the diversity of the population persistently expands, it is paramount the nursing workforce mirrors this evolvement to “effectively meet patient care needs and ensure cultural competency” (Mason, Leavitt, & Chaffee, 2014, p. 378). One important reason for nurses to study the effect of diversity is to improve the community and help promote the need for social change. There is a connection between the absence of variation in the workplace and health inconsistencies. If more nurses were to work with the indigent and minority populations, this “improves access among underrepresented groups” and would help with the discrepancy in health care (Huston, 2014, p. 137). Competent transcultural nursing care impacts the quality of care a patient receives by understanding the client’s needs holistically. Clark (2014) states that humility or the ability to learn from others and having an open mind is needed...
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...Diversity in the Workplace We live in a society today that is culturally diverse. With this diversity of the population, comes the need for a diverse and culturally competent nursing workforce to care appropriately for patients. The purpose of this paper is to examine diversity in the workplace, its importance to nursing as a profession and its impact on the delivery of culturally competent nursing care. Importance of Diversity in the Workplace Huston (2014) reveals that age, gender, customs, religion, physical size, physical and mental capabilities, beliefs, culture, ethnicity, and skin color are all forms of diversity. Despite the shift in demography of today’s society, which reflects an increasingly culturally diverse population (Phillips and Malone, 2014), the majority of nurses in the workforce are white, middle-aged females (Mattson, 2009). Making the nursing workplace more heterogeneous, diverse and representative of the population (Phillips and Malone, 2014), helps to promote quality of care and decrease disparities in healthcare (Huston, 2014). Maier-Lorentz (2008) adds that diversity in the workplace fosters cultural competency, which is vital to the provision of holistic and optimal care to this diverse patient population. Summary of One Aspect of Diversity One aspect of Diversity in the workplace is Generational diversity. With the current aging nursing population averaging forty-years of age (Mason, Leavitt and Chaffee, 2014), the current nursing...
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...Abstract There is no question that diversity plays a huge role in the workplace. There are issues with different races and gender, but one that does not seem as talked about is the difference in age. What many do not realize is that assuming all ages work the same way can be detrimental for not only the manager but the worker and company as well. When different age groups are combined to work, without proper accommodation, intergenerational conflict will occur. This is why understanding the different generations, including their values, attitudes and beliefs is important so that this conflict can be avoided. Once the different generations are understood, there are a few things a manager can do to ensure that their team will be able to work effectively. A Diverse Workplace; Creating Effective Cross-Generational Work Teams Generation gaps within the workplace are common and can create serious problems. According to Gregg Hammill, “This is the first time in American history that we have had four different generations working side-by-side in the workplace”. To create an effective cross generational work team, one must first understand the conflict that occurs and why when they are all put together without accommodation. After that, it is important to separately analyze each generation and their values, beliefs, and how they work. It is at that point, that a manager can effectively put together a cross generational team together by understanding and accommodating...
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...Treasure Trove of the Aging Workforce Abstract The purpose of this paper is to analyze the diverse workforce with a focus on age diversity. The factors include challenges that can occur in an organization, how to overcome these challenges and benefits of a diverse workplace. This paper is organized by answering three questions around age diversity. The answers consist of various literature reviews and personal insight. Treasure Trove of the Aging Workforce It was once known that the retirement age was 65. That is no longer the case. Employees are no longer retiring, mostly due to the outlaw of mandatory retirement. In addition to not having retirement regulated, people are healthier today due to medical science so they can work longer. With the aging workforce occurring there can be challenges that need to be overcome in order to effectively run an organization in todays world. Aging Diversity What changes in employment relationships are likely to occur as the population ages? Researchers suggest employers have mixed feeling about the aging workforce, however many can be positive. Positive changes in employment relationships that likely will occur can be the increase in work experience, job satisfaction, a strong work ethic, commitment to employer, and to quality of work. Pearson and Judge (2015) state, “ They bring to the job a higher skill level earned through years of experience, remember the organization’s history and know the aging customer base.” However...
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...The Multi-Generational Workplace Dawn Butler Org 415 - Summary Paper September 17, 2011 Today’s workplace is more diverse than that of any other time in history. With four different generations actively in the workplace, the way people work together is more important than ever, as is the role of today’s manager. Many organizations have a wide range of employees within several different age groups, each with different work ethics and all must be managed in various ways. Today’s problem in the workplace is no longer the effects of downsizing, competition, stress or greed but rather the four generations of people working together and often colliding. (Hammill, 2005) These four generations; the Veterans, the Baby Boomers, Gen X and Gen Y, make up today’s workforce and each bring different values, ideas, communication styles and ways of getting things done to their organization. (Hammill, 2005) This is the first time in American history that we have had a wide range of ages in the workplace. With such an assorted group of people working together, the traditional roles in the workplace have changed. “There were definite rules as to how the boss was treated and how younger workers treated older workers. No longer: Roles today are all over the place and the rules are being rewritten daily.” (Hammill, 2005, p.1) First, it is important to identify the different generations and who make them up. The Veterans were born between 1922-1945. This...
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...Workplace Diversity: Communication between Management and Employees Workplace challenges come in many forms. One of those challenges is communication, whether verbal or nonverbal, between co-workers or between management and employees. Businesses currently are being affected by communication issues that are hindering production, satisfaction, and employee retention (Salahuddin, 2010). Communication is a vital key to effective and good management. Face-to-face communication is always the best way to talk to your employees but that may not always be possible, so a combination of verbal and nonverbal communication may be the best practice for your company (Chazanof, 1998). Too many companies rely solely on newsletters, bulletins, and flyers to communicate with their employees, making them feel less important to the company. Written communication is good but companies should also use face-to-face communication as well, use a combination of both. Written communication in the form of newsletters or flyers is a great tool when communicating with employees (Chazanof, 1998). Having your company put together a newsletter filled with company events, statistics, news, etc. Getting your employees involved, asking for volunteers to contribute information can help bridge that communication gap. Newsletters help inform your employees of company events as well as keep them connected and make them feel involved, all good ways to keep the communication waves flowing within your organization...
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...complexity of a diverse workforce. The organisation being considered is a small accounting company (‘The Company’) located in Zimbabwe, South Africa. Due to its ‘multiplicity of traditions and skin tones’ (Brand South Africa 2011), South Africa has been portrayed as a ‘Rainbow Nation’ since the end of the Apartheid era. When diversity is not managed and monitored carefully, differences can lead to highly counter-productive communication dilemmas. Two fundamental aspects of diversity will be discussed: Firstly, cultural differences are common throughout The Company and have proven to be an issue of emotional and economic importance. Five of Hofstede’s (1994) dimensions of culture can be used to explain the reluctance of employees from different countries to effortlessly integrate their personalities and ideas within The Company. Power distance, individualism, uncertainty avoidance, masculinity and long-term orientation will be analysed in terms of their affect on interpersonal communication between culturally diverse employees. Secondly, another feature of diversification within The Company is the range of conflicting generational profiles. A generational gap that has formed between employees and managers within the organisation is a further source of interpersonal communication issues that hinder organisational efficiency. This reflective essay will analyse my personal...
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...hired this year can expect to find that they working with colleagues who are older than they are by fifty or more years. The reason for this is primarily due to labor shortages for trained personnel in many industries. In addition, many older workers are now delaying retirement due for economic or other reasons. Many of the baby boomer generation can now be expected to delay retirement into their seventies. (Randstad USA) As you will learn, an inter-generational workforce provides many opportunities and challenges. While generational differences can and do lead to frustration, conflicts and poor morale, they do not have to. This section of the handbook will help you to better understand effective methods for leading and working with intergenerational teams. You will see that the differences brought to the mix by different generations can lead to increased productivity, creativity and success. In addition, you will understand the programs and benefits offered to enhance and optimize the benefits of maintaining an inter-generational workforce. Defining the Generations In an article published in the Journal for Quality and Participation, Gesell provides the following definitions of the generations. The Silent Generation. Born between 1925 and 1945, this group values hard work, conformity, dedication, sacrifice and patience. They are comfortable with delayed recognition and reward. The Baby Boomer Generation. Born between 1946 and 1964, this group are optimistic and team...
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...Thoughts on new challenges for managers in regards to Age Diversity Age diversity is a reality in today’s workplace, and will only increase in the future. Workplace demographics are shifting, and the number of mature workers will steadily increase in the years to come. US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Today’s workforce spans four generation: Traditionalist, Baby Boomer, Generation Xers and Millennial. As mature adults remain employed, we increasingly need to understand the strength and challenges inherent in multigenerational workplace and find ways to leverage age diversity. The reality, according to research, is that generations are different in some ways, but similar in many more. More gap than chasm, generation difference has subtle impact, not the dramatic conflicts portrayed in the popular press. Research by Jennifer Deal, Author of Retiring the Generation gap. Clearly, managing a workforce that spans four generation, represents tremendous challenges to the manager that want to be in tune with social trend, progressive thoughts and political correctness. It involves recognizing the value of difference, combating discrimination and legal action against the organization. Devoe 1999. With perception that older workers are dinosaurs when it comes to innovation and technology but are portrayed as loyal and hardworking. Younger workers are viewed as innovative and technological inclined but disrespectful, lazy and egocentric. Taken this view on the face value, these...
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...Group Project Team VIBGYOR – GMP 2015, Sec B, Group 8 The Topic: Impact of Generational Diversity on Team Performance. 1. Introduction: "A lack of understanding across generations can have detrimental effects on communication, working relationships and undermine effective services," says psychologist Constance Patterson. Although these generational conflicts are often seen as larger social issues, they may play out every day on the team level in the workplace in ways that may affect productivity and may lead to frustration, conflict and poor morale. For example, Boomers may believe gen Xers are too impatient and unwilling to try out the tried-and-tested strategies, while gen Xers may view boomers as always trying to say the right thing to the right person and being inflexible to change. Traditionalists may view baby boomers as self-absorbed and prone to sharing too much information, and baby boomers may view traditionalists as authoritative and rigid. And, gen Xers may consider millennial too spoiled and self-absorbed, while millennial may view gen Xers as too cynical and negative. 2. Background: A generation is defined as an identifiable group that shares birth years, age location, and significant life events at critical developmental stages, divided by five-seven years into the first wave, core group, and last wave (Kupperschmidt, 2000). A generational group, often referred to as a cohort, includes those who share historical or social life experiences...
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...AMerican intercontinental university | Generations in an Ever-Changing Workplace | MGMT 340-1502A-03 | | Shannon Ramirez | 5/1/2015 | Gaining the respect and therefore generating the productivity and performance of a multi-generational team or employee will be discussed in this article. | Generations in an Ever-Changing Workplace What are the benefits of having a multi-generational workforce? The pace at which the workforce is changing is phenomenal. Many of the older generations are choosing to stay employed longer, and while that is occurring, more younger associates are hired which creates a generation gap, making communication among teams more complex. Cohesiveness is a must in a work environment and a manager must learn how to effectively deal with each generation in a respectful manner in order to gain productivity among teams. There is a new normal in the workplace in terms of the varied ages of employees, in the past there were at the most three to four separate generations at once, but now with the oldest generation choosing to retire later, more generations are present. This is significant in the different behaviors exhibited by these employees, what may motivate someone to be more productive, or what engages them. This creates a dynamic diversity in an office, and is a great way for employees to learn from each other based on the uniqueness of the backgrounds they come from. We will begin with a description of the traditionalist, the eldest...
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...Ambition, Altruism, Affiliation and Anxiety in the workplace: A review of generational differences in work attitudes. Madeleine Fogarty Melbourne University Abstract Popular books and articles claim that there are significant differences between the generations in attitudes to work. However, there are relatively few empirical studies that support this claim. This review examines the reasons for the dearth of empirical work, reports on the US and Australasian findings published in the past decade, and suggests a taxonomy of ambition, altruism, affiliation and anxiety to synthesise the diversity of previous research and reach a coherent conclusion: all are on the rise for Gen Y. Directions for future research and recommendations for organisations are discussed. News articles regularly demand that we pay attention to the different needs of the next generation and their attitudes towards work. Last week the Sydney Morning Herald claimed that “Generation Y . . . has high expectations of their employers, seek out new challenges, are not afraid to question authority, value teamwork, seek the affirmation of others, crave attention and want to be included and involved” (Zavos, 2010). Other stereotypes of Gen Y, including Myers & Sadaghiani (2010), pitch them as self-centred, unmotivated, disrespectful and disloyal. There have been many articles and books in “popular literature” that describe differences between the generations, including Strauss & Howe (1991),...
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...MGMT 591: Leadership and Organizational Behavior Course Project The Impact of the Lack of Generational Diversity within a Small Company 1.0 Introduction & Overview Edge Solutions, LLC is a majority woman-owned IT solutions provider delivering superior customer service and support for impactful IT solutions that meet our customers’ business challenges across the mid-Atlantic and Southeast. Edge’s corporate headquarters office is located at 7 Old Roswell Street, Alpharetta, Georgia. This company was founded in 2008 at the kitchen table of Julie & Michael Haley. Julie’s professional background is corporate and legislative law and Michael served as Vice President and General Manager for a Fortune 500 hardware distribution company. Within a very short time, Edge started receiving notary in IT industry and business awards and professional accreditations for its business growth, level of service and expertise. In June 2012, Edge was named the 3rd fasting growing company in the nation by Inc. 500/5000. And the URL for the online site is http://www.inc.com/inc5000/profile/edge-solutions. At Edge, our team is dedicated to delivering the right solution with specific expertise in data center management, server and storage virtualization, storage management, data protection information management, eCommerce procurement solutions as well as asset and services contract management to small and midsize businesses. I am Edge Solutions’ rising Chief Information Officer (managing...
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