Some of the new material and
books talk about the span of today's workforce. It is being
said that never before have four generations been in the
workforce. We have the Veterans, the baby Boomers, the
GenX-ers and the Millenials. These groups cover those
born before WWII, the resulting babies upon the return home,
the latchkeys kids born 1965 through 1980 and the newest
members of today's workforce born after 1980.
I wonder is we looked at
family businesses if we would see something else?
Wouldn't we see the children doing something with even advice
coming from the oldest of the generations? It was
commonplace to have households of generations living
together. One generation took care of the next. It
was what was done. Now, we outsource that care. I
am not making a judgment, just asking the question. Have
we deprived our children of learning about their most senior
family members? Have we hidden them away from the good
of learning the lessons of those before us as well as the pain
of seeing age steal some energy and memory?
We may not have the
experience of the four generations at a family business or in
our home, but today's workplace clearly has the
situation. As we in HR and as leaders discuss the
diversity initiatives, have we included the generational
aspects? Perhaps it is not necessary in those
organizations that live their value of respect. How are
we preparing our leaders of tomorrows, assessing developmental
needs and learning plans as well as encouraging the mentoring
by the natural leaders within our workforce?
Do we understand how our
business is being affected by the talent available? Do
we understand how people will react if they must work to
supplement basic needs such as medicine and lodging?
Have we felt the impact of the rising costs of housing and the
health care we have come to enjoy and expect?
If we have experienced this
generational gathering before, what did we learn? The
answer will be applied in different ways for each of our
businesses. I am just asking the question; I encourage
you to take some time to answer it for yourself and your
business. Don't you both deserve it?
KRex Consulting Founder, Kelley Rexroad,
SPHR, serves as the Principal Consultant. She has
twenty-five years in the communications and human resources
fields. Her prior employers included a Fortune 20
Health Care Supplier/Provider firm, a Global 50
Aerospace company and in the 80's --one of the world's
largest global conglomerates. Kelley learned her
business sense early- growing up-and working in-- a
family owned business. Reach her at kelley@krexconsulting.com or call the office at
813-920-9030.
