Baby Boomers in the Workplace

Big changes are currently happening for baby boomers in the workplace: young members of Generation Y are slowly replacing the older Baby Boomer Generation. Most boomers, who are now approaching or reaching retirement age, are now contending with members of the youngest working age generation for positions and jobs.

The drop in the economy that has been affecting the workplace since the middle of the current decade has changed the financial prospects of many baby boomers. Some have lost retirement plans and money in the stock market due to the current financial crisis. At the same time, the jobs available are changing. Many modern jobs are computer and technology based, and some members of older generations are struggling to adapt to the quick pace of the modern technological world. Generation Y, on the other hand, has grown up with technology and has largely embraced it. Cell phones, personal computers, and the internet are all devices which have been popularized within their lifetime. Unlike baby boomers in the workplace, Generation Y seems to rebel against the standardized corporate ladder of the past. Due to increased education, members of Generation Y demand higher starting positions and wages. Yet, Generation Y still values family and wants flexible working hours, including the option to work from home.

How does the Baby Boomer Generation cope with the changes in the workplace that Generation Y has begun? In some ways, many of the changes are beneficial for baby boomers. Flexible hours benefit boomers since many of them continue to desire to work past retirement age at least part-time. Flexible work hours also benefit boomers because it allows them to spend more time with family. Modern technology allows boomers to work part-time from home if they desire, and increases the number of jobs for senior citizens looking for phased retirement. Baby boomers in the workplace will grow increasingly adept at using today's technology, thus allowing them to function adequately in the technological world after retirement.