Research Studies

"Generational Shift: What We Saw at the Workplace Revolution"

Bruce Tulgan and RainmakerThinking, Inc.
RainmakerThinking, Inc., September 2003

Available Online

Over the past 10 years, a “Generational Shift” has affected employer-employee relationships in the workplace, according to this study by RainmakerThinking, Inc. Globalization and technology have contributed to higher risks and unpredictability in the corporate world. As a result, employers are adopting “extremely flexible and efficient staffing practices” to stay competitive. Employees, on the other hand, have developed more aggressive attitudes, expectations and behaviors.

The study reports six key findings:

1. Work has become more demanding on employees.
2. Employer-employee relationships have become less hierarchical and more transactional.
3. Employers are moving away from long-term employment relationships.
4. Employees have less confidence in long-term rewards and greater expectations for short-term rewards.
5. Immediate supervisors are now the most important people in the workplace.
6. Supervising employees now requires more time and skill on the part of managers.

Analysts originally predicted that these trends, initiated by Generation X workers in the early- and mid-1990s, would fade following the dot-com bust and recent economic downturn. However, contrary to those forecasts, the shift has only gained momentum and spread to workers of all ages.

RainmakerThinking’s findings came from a culmination of interviews, questionnaires, interactive seminars, focus groups, surveys and reviews of publicly available data.

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