In 2017, 25 percent of the United States labor force were Baby Boomers, 33 percent gen X and 35 percent Millennials. At best, the oldest Millennial was only 36-years-old, so managed by a Baby Boomer, gen X or, if they were fortunate, by the Silent Generation.
In 2024, Boomers make up 17 percent of the workforce, gen X, 24 percent, Millennials 42 percent and gen Z 16 percent. By 2030, 33 percent of the United States workforce is projected to be gen Z, 41 percent Millennials and 25 percent gen X.
Back in 2017, the signs that team members were lackluster, apathetic, missing deadlines and the like may have been addressed with a direct conversation or by offering a day off if it’s ‘been a while’.
Basically, get your stuff together and come back to work performing. Support and understanding were there, but equally, the onus and responsibility sat with the employee. That’s not the case anymore.