Generation Y Taking Over the Office Space

Bostonist once believed that we were defined as a "Gen X'er" since we were born on the tail end of that era (between 1961-1981). But after reading an article in yesterday's USA Today, we might have to recategorize ourselves as typical "Generation Y'ers." It seems that Generation Y, also known as "Generation Why?" with their questioning of everything, is 70 million strong and are taking over the office environment with lots of attitude, with flip flops on feet and iPods in hand. Defined by some as those born in the late 20th century, Generation Y is now starting to enter the "real world" and people are classifying them as those "who want to work, but don't want work to be their life." Now Bostonist must agree that work is work, and everyone should still have a life outside of a cubicle. But the Generation is also being called "nurtured", "pampered", and they've been active since pre-school, creating "high performance and high maintenance" individuals. This is the first generation who were introduced at a young age to the Internet, cell phones, and Instant Messager. Gen Y'ers, who are also finding themselves next to baby boomers in the work place, are also big mouths according to the experts; they like to have their opinion known, which some employers can find annoying to say the least.

But Generation Y isn't always questioning the boss. The article did go on to point out the positives of this new group of young people. They are aware of the importance of financial planning now in their twenties, understand the balance of work-family-life, and are constantly looking for a change. Bruce Tulgan, whose company studies the lives of young people says it best in the article:

"They're like Generation X on steroids," Tulgan says. "They walk in with high expectations for themselves, their employer, their boss. If you thought you saw a clash when Generation X came into the workplace, that was the fake punch. The haymaker is coming now."

Bostonist does love its flip flops and iPod, but we're not sure if we're a true Generation Y child...we haven't ruffled too many feathers in the office just yet.