By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
How to bridge the workplace generation gap
6f0648dd618efcb5f8b246d679cebd17266b00b4c8ced62d435870864b24a511
Both the older and younger generations can bridge the divide if they communicate clearly and effectively, among other tips. - photo by Sarah Anderson
With millennials coming to dominate the workforce and baby boomers refusing to retire, crossing the generational divide at work becomes ever more of an issue.

The term generational gap was first used in the 1960s to express the belief that the old and the young had substantial differences in thought, AARP noted. And its a divide that has still carried over into present day, with generations separated under umbrella terms such as millennials or Generation X, and recent events such as the Brexit vote demonstrating there are differences between the old and young generations stance on issues, it continued.

The divide is perhaps even greater as millennials have come to make up the largest age segment of the American workforce, The New York Times noted. Many older employees now find themselves answering to a younger boss.

But as the generation gap has changed, tighter ties have formed between the generations as well, according to AARP. With opportunities for greater intergenerational understanding, such as millennial caretakers for the elderly or the large number of millennials living with their parents, theres a hopeful shift away from generational hostility, it continued.

And the divide can be more easily bridged if employees work at it, the old and the young alike.

For the older generation

The New York Times had some advice for the older set, sent in by respondents older than age 50:

  • Age-based assumptions go both ways. A younger boss or coworker, despite lacking the experience of the older generations, doesnt necessarily need a lecture on how things used to be done. Be open to learning from younger people, one respondent said.
  • Project the right attitude. Counter the stereotype of old people and act with enthusiasm, energy and engagement.
  • Stay current with technology and social media you dont need to obsess over LinkedIn or Twitter, but dont just dismiss them out of hand either.
  • Dont act the victim. Focus on what you can control and know that age isnt something that you can.
For the younger generation

Careerealism.com discussed four ways millennials could bridge the gap in their workplace:

  • If a well-respected senior employee suggests one way of doing something and you know of a more efficient way, do it their way. After the task is done, speak with them one-on-one about how it could be done better next time by demonstrating respect for your co-worker, theyre more likely to consult you in the future.
  • Hear out your older colleagues tales of what the workplace used to be like you may be inspired by ways to innovate those ideas for the digital age.
  • If youre not given enough work, finish what youve been assigned then tell your boss youd be happy to tackle something thats really challenging.
  • If youre left out of the more senior employees cliques and decision-making discussions, divide and conquer. Ask the most approachable member out for coffee, if that goes well ask another out to lunch with any luck, youll soon be included in the discussions.
For all generations

  • Communicate early, clearly and respectfully. Be obvious about motive and ask to share ideas, according to Fastcompany.com.
  • Focus on common ground, instead of the differences between you and coworkers, American Sentinel suggested.
  • Dont let assumptions bias you, Fastcompany.com advised.
  • Open a dialogue to share concerns and invite colleagues to respond in kind. But dont pile on criticism, Fastcompany.com warned.
  • Its more important to be effective than right, so instead of insisting on your way be flexible and willing to adapt to others, American Sentinel advised.
Sign up for our E-Newsletters
How to avoid 'sharenting' and other paparazzi parenting habits
ce406c66b9871a104ac24256a687e4821d75680dcfc89d9e5398939543f7f88f
A recent study revealed parents often spend up to two hours staging a single photo of his or her child to post online. - photo by Amy Iverson
Before having kids, some people just dont appreciate their friends baby posts. But after having a child of their own, three fourths of new parents jump right on the parental social media bandwagon. If you have become a member of this group, there are some rules to follow for posting responsibly.

Much of a parents worry is how to teach their children to use social media responsibly. We talk with our kids about privacy, oversharing, and setting restrictions on their devices to keep them safe. But parents themselves need to look in the digital mirror once in a while. Before having children, it doesnt take as much effort to think about what to post online. Its up to us to decide what we share about our own lives. But once you become a parent, there are many questions to think about regarding what is appropriate to post about your kids on social media.

In a recent survey, kids clothing subscription company Mac and Mia surveyed 2000 new parents to find out how they are documenting their kids lives on social media, and what concerns they may have.

First of all, people without children seem to feel a bit differently about the onslaught of baby pictures online than those who are parents. 18 percent of people say before they had kids, they were annoyed by their friends baby posts. But after having children of their own, 73 percent admit they post progress pictures of their little ones every single month.

Not only are new parents letting the world know each time their baby is a month older, but they are posting about their kids every few days or so. Men and women report they post 6-7 times per month about their baby.

And while 70 percent of new parents say the benefit of using social media is how easy it is to help family and friends feel involved, there are some downsides. Here are a few tips to avoid the pitfall of becoming paparazzi parents.

Dont miss the moment

In the Mac and Mia survey, some parents admitted to spending up to two hours to get the perfect shot of their baby. That seems a little extreme. New and old parents alike should be careful about spending so much time taking pictures and videos that they dont enjoy the moment. Years ago, I decided to never live an experience through my phone. A study by Linda Henkel, a psychology professor at Fairfield University in Connecticut, found that when people took pictures of objects in an art museum, they didnt remember the objects as well as if they simply observed them.

This photo-taking impairment effect can happen to parents as well. If we are so consumed by getting the perfect photo, we can miss out on the moment all together, and our memory of it will suffer.

Dont forget about privacy

60 percent of couples say they have discussed rules and boundaries for posting their babys photos, according to the Mac and Mia survey. Even so, men are 34 percent more likely to publish baby posts on public accounts. If parents are concerned about their childrens privacy, keeping photos off of public accounts is a given.

In the Washington Post, Stacey Steinberg, a legal skills professor at the University of Florida, and Bahareh Keith, a Portland pediatrician, wrote that sharing too much information about kids online puts them at risk. They write that all that sharenting can make it easier for data thieves to target out kids for identity theft. Check that your privacy settings are where they should be and never share identifying information like full names and birth dates.

Dont be paparazzi parents

36 percent of parents say they take issue when their childs photo is posted online by someone else. Responsible social media users will always ask permission before posting a photo of another child. But parents should also think about whether their own children will take issue with their own posted photos a few years down the road.

When parents are constantly snapping pictures and throwing them on social media, it can be easy to forget to pause and make sure the post is appropriate. I always use the billboard example with my kids. I ask them to picture whatever they are posting going up on a billboard in our neighborhood. If they are okay with that, then their post is probably fine. Parents should ask themselves this same question when posting about their children. But they should also ask themselves if their child would be OK with this post on a billboard in 15 years. If it would cause embarrassment or humiliation, it might be best to keep it private.

Once children reach an appropriate age, parents should include them in the process of deciding what pictures are OK to post. Researchers at the University of Michigan surveyed 10- to 17-year-olds and found children believe their parents should ask permission more than parents think they should. The kids in the survey said sharing happy family moments, or accomplishments in sports, school and hobbies is fine. But when the post is negative (like when a child is disciplined) or embarrassing (think naked baby pictures or messy hair), kids say to keep it off social media.
Latest Obituaries