Generational Differences at Work: Do they Matter?

Much research into the world of work has assumed that the basic principles of work and the resultant relationships are stable over time. Yet there is increasing evidence that generational differences exist among workers and that the changing characteristics of the workforce can explain some of the important changes that have taken place over the past decade in worker attitudes and expectations. Surprisingly, however, little systematic research has been undertaken to test these generalizations. Our paper seeks to fill this vacuum by addressing the question as to w hether there are differences between generations in their attitudes to work. It does this by exploring job satisfaction, commitment, and the w illingness to quit of the tw o groups of workers; the baby boomers and the Generation X.