LexisNexis recently released a survey [PDF] investigating whether a technology gap exists between different generations in the workplace. They divide their sample into three generations: Baby Boomers (born 1964 or before), Generation X (born 1965-1979), and Generation Y (born 1980 or later). A total of 700 white-collar and legal professionals answered questions via an Internet survey -- so the results should be taken with a grain of salt -- but they do produce some interesting results.
Not very surprisingly, the survey finds that Gen Y and Gen X multi-task more and use more high-tech devices and software than Boomers. But what I find more fascinating are the attitudes each generation expresses about technology.
Overall, younger workers find that technology facilitates their relationships: 74 percent of Gen Y workers find new technology makes building professional relationships easier, compared with only 69 percent of Generation X and 58 percent of Baby Boomers. Looking at the rest of the results, an entirely different standard of workplace etiquette emerges:
- Only 63% of Boomers think it's acceptable to listen to an online radio station during work, versus 84% of Gen Yers.
- 76% of Gen Yers find it acceptable to befriend a colleague on a social networking site, while only 38% of Boomers do.
- 62% of Gen Xers and 58% of Gen Yers think it's OK to check non-work related Web sites during work, compared with 48% of Boomers.
I would think this creates some tension and misunderstandings between the generations, and the survey seems to back this up:
- 67% of Boomers think using a laptop or PDA (e.g. Blackberry) during in-person meetings is impolite, versus 57% of Gen Yers. 68% of Baby Boomer workers find it distracting, while only 49% of Generation Y workers do. And 32% of Gen Yers think it's essential, compared with 11% of Boomers.
- 71% of Baby Boomers believe social networking sites inappropriately blur the lines between personal and professional life. 65% of Generation Yers think so.
- 47% of Generation Y workers think PDAs and mobile phones contribute to the decline of proper workplace etiquette, compared with 69% of Baby Boomer workers.
If Baby Boomers and the members of Generation Y now entering the workforce have such disparate standards of tech etiquette, how often are the Gen Yers offending the Boomers? Do they even realize this is happening? As younger members of Generation Y enter the workforce, I image the gap will grow wider and its consequences more severe -- especially because Baby Boomers will tend to be in more authoritative positions relative to the entry-level Gen Yers.
Have you run into the tech etiquette gap at work?
Hat tip: ReadWriteWeb
-Jeff
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