A cohort is a distinct group whose identification factors may include age, birth year, place of residence, and significant life experiences during crucial developmental stages (Kupperschmidt, 2000). Baby Boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, and Gen Z, born between 1997 and 2012, make up Best Motor Pte Ltd's multi-generational workforce. It is vital to note the differences in work ethics that exist between these two generational cohorts.

Post World War II, Baby Boomers led to a boom in population in various countries like Japan, Europe, and the USA (Coleman et al., 2006). Baby Boomers have been revolutionaries and pioneers their entire lives, and their ageing process changes what it means to age past 50. In this era of advancing technology, Baby Boomers are regarded as "digital immigrants" because "digital" is not their first language. However, they still show a strong competitive spirit, likely as a result of being part of a large cohort, which motivates them to excel, particularly concerning their work. While some struggle to adapt, printing emails and documents for updating, relying on manuals to learn new software rather than the internet, and inviting visitors to their offices to showcase an interesting website instead of sending the link. One of their upcoming challenges is the pressure they face from younger generations who are better versed in technology (Glass, 2007).

A 2021 study by Bulut examines the characteristics of Gen Z concerning work ethics (Bulut, 2021). Gen Z, the youngest generation, has emerged during a time where technology progression is encouraged, and with instruments such as the internet and smartphones, they quickly gain access to knowledge. Technology has also led to a significant influence on their perception of work and occupational habits. Gen Z has individual traits that result from several social, economic, and historical conditions, similarly to other generational cohorts. These individual characteristics impact their perception of work as well as occupational habits. In brief, Gen Z is financially-conscious, enjoys personal autonomy while working collaboratively and prefers flexibly that enables them to strike a work-life balance.

Currently, Best Motor Pte Ltd is experiencing several issues such as employee tardiness, increased absenteeism, difficulty concentrating during work, and reluctance to shoulder more responsibilities. Employees believe that the organisation does not offer career growth opportunities, and they feel undervalued and under-appreciated.

In conclusion, Baby Boomers and Gen Z's characteristics impact work values and habits. Baby Boomers in an organisation are more likely to work from an office, have face-to-face meetings, and are often less tech-savvy. In contrast, Gen Z prefers the flexibility of working remotely, cloud-based meetings instead of face-to-face meetings, and is generally more tech-savvy.

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References

Bulut, S. (2021). Generation Z and its Perception of Work through Habits, Motivations, Expectations Preferences, and Work Ethics. Psychology and Psychotherapy Research Study, 4(4). https://doi.org/10.31031/pprs.2020.04.000593

Coleman, L. J., Hladikova, M., & Savelyeva, M. (2006). The baby boomer market. Journal of Targeting, Measurement and Analysis for Marketing, 14(3), 191–209. https://doi.org/10.1057/palgrave.jt.5740181

Glass, A. (2007). Understanding generational differences for competitive success. Industrial and Commercial Training, 39(2), 98–103. https://doi.org/10.1108/00197850710732424

Kupperschmidt, B. R. (2000). Multigeneration Employees: Strategies for Effective Management. The Health Care Manager, 19(1), 65–76. https://doi.org/10.1097/00126450-200019010-00011