Post Modernism Related to the Workplace What are the long-range effects of the generation gap in the workplace and how will organizational leaders deal with a possible solution?

The biggest long-term effects of the generation gap in the workplace are that managers must have increased levels of communication with employees. As, they will need to understand what is important to each generation and then allow them to deal with issues in way that makes sense for them. This means that instead of having a traditional workplace that follows one standard protocol for addressing various problems. There will be numerous strategies and approaches that are utilized in solving the challenges that are being faced. The best way for leaders to deal with possible solutions is: to have increased amounts of training about what is important to each generation of employees. At the same time, they must be able to serve as a go between for both groups. Where, they will have to know how to effectively communicate with each generation and allow them to complete their various tasks in way that makes sense for them. (Tulgan, 2000, pp. 10 -- 14)

Why is it important to conduct a study to investigate the generation gap between baby boomers and gen X in the workplace.

The reason why it is important to understand the generation gap in the workplace is because, both kinds of employees play an important role in contributing to the productivity of a business. This is due to the fact that globalization has been forcing many corporations to be able to find individuals who have experience. While at the same time, they need someone who can understand technology and has the flexibility to adapt to changes that are taking place in the markets. Once this occurs, it will allow an organization be able to evolve with the changes that are taking place in the economy and inside their industry. This will give them a competitive advantage by helping those companies that are taking this approach to quickly adapt to any kind of shifts. At which point, a company can maintain their competitive advantages in the marketplace and they can remain at the forefront for innovations that are occurring.

From a seminal and scholarly standpoint how do: education and attitudes influence the relationships between Baby Boomers and Generation X?

The seminal impact that education and attitudes will have on the workplace is that it will create a transformation in how employers and employees are interacting with one another. This is because as the Baby Boomers become older, they will begin to retire at some point. Given the fact, that this demographic accounts for the largest segment of the population, means that there will be shortages in many different skilled labor positions. At the same time, a number of the Baby Boomers will be responsible for: providing for themselves due to the financial challenges that they are facing. As a result, you will more than likely see some kind of combination utilized to reach out to this group of people. Where, an increasing number will continue to work on either a part time or full time basis because of these shortages. This means that there will be compensation packages and strategies that are designed to provide this group with specific areas that are addressing their underlying needs (i.e. better health insurance and long-term care). (Wong, 2010, pp. 365 -- 380)

At the same time, Generation X workers will have a different kind of focus and mentality towards the work environment. In this case, they are concerned about what an employer is able to do for them. As, they want to see compensation packages that will address their financial and emotional needs (i.e. monetary benefits along with greater amounts of flexibility).This will change the way managers are interacting with employees by forcing them to provide this group with the benefits they are demanding. That will allow them to have personal satisfaction from their work. Part of the reason for this, is because this demographic of workers are considered to be: highly educated and they have tremendous amounts of experience in working with various forms of technology. There is also the attitude that this group embraces, which is that they need to look out for their own self-interest in dealing with a variety of challenges. This is based upon the experiences that Generation X went through when they were growing up. In that, they have seen the lingering effects of corporate downsizing...

Over the course of time, this has shaped their views, as they are demanding that employers offer them greater amounts of flexibility and they do not have any kind of loyalty to a corporation they are working for. In the future, this means that companies will have to offer them compensation packages that address these specific attitudes. As, they are seeing a labor shortage from the reduced hours that Baby Boomers are working and need of Generation X employees to fill these gaps. While, they also will require having greater amounts of: experience and flexibility in dealing with the challenges facing their business in the future. The only way that this can occur, is to create compensation packages and a work environment that will address these specific needs of Generation X This will influence the attitudes between the Baby Boomers and Generation X by creating possible communication issues. Therefore, managers will play an important role in serving as a go between for the different generations of workers. (Wong, 2010, pp. 365 -- 380)
From a scholarly standpoint, managers must be able to have effective communication and team building skills. The reason why, is because these demographics of population will have different ideas about what is most important to them. Where, the Baby Boomers will have greater amounts of loyalty towards their employers and they will be willing to work longer hours. While, Generation X will want to do their work independently and they prefer not to have set schedules placed on them. This can create conflicts and confusion among the different groups of workers. As, the Baby Boomers may not see Generation X employees in a favorable light because of: their independence. At the same time, Generation X may see the Baby Boomers as out of touch with reality based upon changes that have occurred in the workplace. To ensure that both groups can work effectively together requires that managers serve as go between for both demographics. This will address any issues of conflict and it will improve the ability of an organization to use the skill sets of both kinds of workers. Once this takes place, it will allow them to effectively respond to the changes that are taking place inside the work environment. (Wong, 2010, pp. 365 -- 380)

What are the major workplace conflicts between the Baby Boomers and Generation X?

There are a number of different workplace conflicts that will occur between the Baby Boomers and Generation X A few of the most notable include: the way they look at the status quo and monetary benefits / personal satisfaction. These factors are important, because they are illustrating how these differences in work environment can create a number of conflicts between the two generations of employees. (Wong, 2010, pp. 365 -- 380)

The way that both groups look at the status quo is vastly different. As far as the Baby Boomers are concerned, they grew up in an era where you will challenge the ideas of the society. This is because they went through a time period of opposing the traditional views of the establishment. In the workplace, this means that they will question these ideas. Once they have been answered on a satisfactory level, is the point that they will remain loyal to an organization. Where, they will dedicate more of themselves and their time towards helping an entity to become successful. When you compare this to Generation X, they are not as loyal as the Baby boomers. This is because they have seen the negative effects of this loyalty in the form of: corporate downsizing, layoffs and lost time with their families. The way that this can create a conflict in the workplace is among perceptions between the different groups. As, the Baby Boomers will see Generation X workers as: lazy and unmotivated to go the extra mile. While Generation X, will view the Baby Boomers as: out of touch with reality and unable to deal with the changes that are taking place in business. (Wong, 2010, pp. 365 -- 380)

A second area that can lead to conflicts between these different groups is with monetary benefits and personal satisfaction. The Baby Boomers are mostly motivated by the kinds of compensation that they will be receiving. Where, they do not look at personal satisfaction as a high priority in their lives. The reason why, is because they feel that receiving good monetary benefits will allow them to give something back in the future. At the same time, they think that there is a…