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While Thinking About Retirement (part 2)

At my job, there are four distinct generational groups: baby boomers, pappy boomers, generation x and generation y. I am one of the baby boomers. There is a window of about 4 1/2 years while I will be considering my options toward retirement.

Some days, there is an undercurrent of tension caused by very poor communication or miscommunication between groups. Generation y co-workers like to talk about drugs, gangs, gangsta rap, and their sex lives. It makes no sense in an office environment and is terribly uncool.

I recently read that Dr. Jo Anne White, a relationship expert and professor at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania believes that workers of all ages and backgrounds can learn something from one another. Younger workers have energy and a fresh outlook that has not been tainted by years of conforming to the system. Older workers have invaluable experience to draw upon. They possess savvy and are knowledgeable about a lot of day-to-day tasks.

Asking older workers to embrace the differences between them and younger workers is difficult. It can, however, be crucial to the team experiences and a wise team leader should acknowledge the difficulties without any bias. It is important that the team leader also show respect for all team members. A big divide can be created when a team leader shows partiality to one person or people within the group.

Occasionally, a young supervisor will desperately want to fit in with the generation y group. His/her determination to be part of the pack makes the team feel uncomfortable as partiality emerges for one group over another.

Workers of different generations need to see themselves and each other as human beings. Socializing together can bring people together; however, the activity must be one that everyone enjoys.

I hope this multigenerational problem will not deteriorate further. While thinking about retirement, I hope that I can become an agent for positive change.

Born in Miami Beach, Florida, but raised in New York City, writer Sandra Pianin contributes regularly to webpundits.net. She has written a bi-weekly Hollywood focused column for matchflick.com. Her work has appeared on several other online websites including syndicatednews.net. Recently, she was a reviewer for the New York City 2005 High Definitiion Film Festival.

Sandra enjoys films, theater, and spending time with her 13 yr. old domestic short-haired cat, Henry.