On old ways (and old guys)
Mike Patrick
Mayday! Mayday!
Old fart alert!
This month’s cover story dives into the workaday world as seen by the youngest workers, basically 16 to 25 years old. They’re Gen Z — mere chicks in the eyes of this old Baby Boomin' rooster nearing retirement.
The geezer writing this intro grew up in office environments somewhat different from the ideal embraced by many Gen Zers. For example, a young employee four or five decades ago wasn’t terribly concerned about the company’s values or training programs. Getting a foot in the door, working 9-to-9 when necessary, climbing the ladder and doing everything possible not to get your ass fired were the highest priorities. No, they were the only priorities.
My, how times have changed.
Now, the youngsters tell us, your company better produce good products ethically. It needs to invest in employees not just with good pay but through job training and consistently demonstrating actual human consideration. Not to be overlooked, your company should also be willing to do weird stuff — like letting employees work outside the office where Big Brother’s bulging eyeballs miss nothing.
Even if old farts have trouble with change, some of us can see that these new workplace ideals can be good not just for the employees, but for the companies as well.
You know, the kids could be on to something.
— Mike Patrick, BJNI editor
