Gen Y Gets a Reality Check in the Changing Ecomony

I’ve posted about Generation Y before, specifically, how they approach work/life balance differently than Gen X or Babyboomers.  But I caught an interesting article that brought up a great point recently.  Gen Yers have never really seen anything but booming economic times, and it’s starting to change the way they see the working world.  Some are complaining because “managers are now cracking the whip and putting them under greater pressure to work longer hours” while others are actively looking for other jobs.   

The article mentioned three different types of groups when it comes to Gen Yers.  One group has a “clear separation between work and their lives outside of work,” which meant they worked the hours they were scheduled and that’s it.  They left it and went home to their life.

The third group were “willing workaholics” which meant they worked longer hours but resented it.  (Probably something closer to what the rest of us do.)

It was the second group I found most interesting.  They didn’t really work long hours but felt stressed out about the tougher times at their job.  This group was more likely to bring their home mentally but not physically.  To me, this group of people are the least well adjusted to change.  After all, either you embrace it or look for a way out of it.  But if you sit and whine about it?  It won’t get you anywhere.

Thankfully, I don’t know of any of these types of folks.  I can’t imagine working with them.  Can you?