BRIDGING
THE GAP

Focus on Finlays

Generational attitudes
to the workplace

Words: Tamie Huitchins and Daisy Barnes

BRIDGING THE GAP

How does the generation you’re born into affect your outlook on life and attitude towards the workplace? Group HR Director Tamie Hutchins (Gen X) and Marketing Executive Daisy Barnes (Gen Z) sit down to see how big the generational divide really is, and whether different generations have more in common than you might think.

What stereotype about your generation do you believe is
based in truth?

Tamie: I would go with the whole ‘latchkey kid’ description. We left the house in the morning and came back when it was dark and we were hungry. It made many of us incredibly self-sufficient but maybe not such great team players.

Daisy: That we’re depressed and anxious due to facing an overwhelming variety of socio-economic problems that other generations did not face at the same stage. COVID 19, the pressure of being 'always-on' with technology and eco anxiety are all isolating. This is where the stereotype of us being less resilient comes from! I think generational context is vital to go beyond the stereotypes and develop a further understanding of why they exist in the first place!

How has technology affected your generation?

Tamie: I don’t think we are as tech illiterate as Gen Z thinks we are! We are still trying to make use of it to make things more efficient rather than it being an integral part of ourselves. I’ve heard people from younger generations say they wish that didn’t have phones, but they can’t make this change as this is where their lives are. I worry about the pressure this places on them to be “always on”.

Daisy: Most Gen Z have been raised with 24/7 access to the internet and a collection of devices - used to communicate, work, learn and play. Our whole lives are on our phones. There’s a long list of downsides to that, the primary one being that it’s impossible to disconnect from social media and the pressure this causes. It’s almost impossible not to compare yourself to the overly edited photos of others online, and increasingly difficult to distinguish between what’s real and fake. The inability to switch off can be suffocating and isolating which is a contributing factor to the mental health issues our generation faces. On the flip side, it’s much easier these days for people to find their niche, which I’d argue enhances depth of understanding. Ultimately, technology’s what you make of it.

What’s been your experience of misogyny in the workplace?

Tamie: In the 80s, we were taught we could have it all, but to get it, we had to operate in a man’s world. We dealt with misogyny by laughing it off or wearing our surviving of it proudly. The #metoo movement led me to reassess my experience and I now feel angry about what happened but also optimistic about the younger generations’ refusal to accept it. But I do sometimes wonder whether there should be more gratitude from younger generations for the sacrifices others made in getting us to where we are today and perhaps this has left Gen Xers a little resentful about the change that Gen Z demands.

Daisy: We’ve come a long way in terms of misogyny in the workplace, but it still very much exists. Personally, it makes me angry to hear that Tamie’s generation had to ‘laugh it off’ and this idea that as a woman, you’re perceived to be stronger if you manage to wear your surviving of misogyny as a badge of honor.

Gen Z tends to believe that people should not be restricted or disadvantaged by their gender, but recognise that the possible disadvantage as a result of gender is nuanced and flows in both directions: everyone is affected by gender stereotypes and pressures. For the most part, my experience has been that most people have a straightforward desire for authentic and healthy relationships at work, and I feel like Gen Z aim to do that in a more inclusive way in comparison to prior generations.

What’s your take on “quiet quitting”?

Daisy: Other generations might view Gen Z as quiet quitters, with no work ethic. But I believe our approach to work is just different. Success isn’t just having a long-standing career with a single company. For me the idea that having a busy CV makes you look ‘unreliable’ is fast becoming outdated.

Tamie: I think all generations have done “quiet quitting”. I think Gen Z put up with things for far less time before actually quitting. They are also calling it out more. I admire this about them as Gen Xers probably let resentment grow for too long.

If you had the chance, would you swap generations?

Daisy: I envy Tamie’s generation being able to exist without everything being documented online. But I am grateful for the opportunities we now have thanks to the generations before us. So, I wouldn’t change my generation, but it would be great to solve some of the issues the world is facing, and Gen Z most of all!

Tamie: Listening to Daisy on the impact of technology on Gen Z reinforces my view that, although technology has given Gen Z many benefits, I wouldn’t give up the freedom and ability to leave your mistakes behind that we had in the past. If I had to pick an age to be it would be around 25, first job, few real responsibilities and all the best bands!

What’s the most important thing you’ve learnt from
this conversation?

Daisy: I’ve learnt so much and it’s reinforced how important context is. Everyone has different experiences and perspectives and it’s easy to forget that… But it’s so important for us all to keep this in mind when working with people from different backgrounds.

Tamie: I knew about the Gen Z anxiety issue, but I feel it more deeply now. That’s incredibly useful information for me to use in my role when talking to Gen Zers.

TAMIE (She/Her)
51 | Chesham

Role: Group HR Director
based in London
Generation: X
7th song on Spotify: Little Red Wagon (Miranda Lambert)

DAISY (She/Her)
25 | York

Role: Marketing Executive
based in SouthElmsall
Generation: Z
7th song on Spotify: The Less I Know The Better (Tame Impala)