Baby Boomers: New Consumers of Work

Although I am very pro-retirement, I feel that the by baby boomers not leaving the work force, this presents an opportunity for both Generation Y and Baby Boomers to learn from each other in the workplace. For example; when younger workers often come in for an interview, they often come in wearing some pretty unprofessional attire, or they often forget their manners all together. They are usually pretty confident, but I'm not sure why being as though they often have little or no work experience. When older workers come in for an interview, they will come in wearing suits & stockings (on women) and almost have a nervousness that often makes me nervous. The ideal interviewee is someone who has confidence, and knows why. Professionalism is very important, especially during an interview, where first impressions are usually lasting. I feel that suits and stockings are unnecessary, but jeans and t-shirts are just unprofessional. Something in the middle would probably suffice.

Baby boomers tend to work a lot because it is a socially expected. Today, workers are encouraged to take their vacation days or they will be lost. My parents think that it is strange to take vacations in an economic recession because they feel that by taking vacations, it shows a lack of interest in the company. They don't understand that pretty much everyone takes vacations, even bosses. Sometimes I feel guilty for taking vacation days, because my Dad never did. He thinks that it is strange when workers go into work at 10:00 AM, instead of 8:00 AM. He thinks that everyone should start early and end late, not start late and end late. How else do you show dedication?

I'm on the cusp of Generation X and Generation Y, but I feel like I work like a Baby Boomer sometimes. I know that by working long hours, you show dedication, but efficient work is more meaningful & relevant. I know this, but sometimes I get stuck in the old ways. I do not work with any Generation Y workers, but I am looking forward to working with them, as I feel I will learn from them.