Defining the Generations

Navigating those infamous watercooler talks has become more nuanced than ever. Why? The workforce of today is populated by five separate generations, all with different backgrounds, demographics, and shared experiences.

Generational cohorts are defined by major world events that occurred when they were coming of age, especially during their teenage years. Each generation is shaped by external forces — world events, politics, pop culture, societal trends, etc. — happening at that time of their life. Each generational cohort extends to groups about 20 years in duration, mimicking the timeline of a traditional nuclear family’s generations. As a rule of thumb, the cohort needs to last long enough for the oldest member to give birth to the youngest member.

The five generations that populate the employment landscape include Traditionalists (the Silent Generation), Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z. Each generation’s date range varies, depending largely on who you ask. Below is a breakdown of some quick facts about each, at home and at work.

Research continues to emerge and in the coming weeks, we’ll explore each cohort in depth. We’ll examine topics such as their habits, behavior, strengths, and weaknesses - just to name a few.

What generation are you the most interested in learning about? Let us know in the comments, and we’ll be sure to feature information about each. Until next time!