“They Did What Now?” – Millennials and Gen Z Decode the Mystery of Boomer Work Habits

Well, well, well, we’re back again to explore the mystical land of Baby Boomer work habits. You loved the first list, so we decided to double down and dive deeper! We’ll be exploring why Boomers are, well, so Boomerish at work and why their younger coworkers find these habits more baffling than trying to explain TikTok to Grandma. So, here’s a double scoop of 18 Boomer habits that keep Millennials and Gen Z on their toes!  

The Non-Stop Phone Chatterboxes

 

  Here’s the lowdown: Boomers just can’t resist the allure of the telephone. Boomers feel that voice-to-voice communication is more genuine and immediate in a world dominated by emails, texts, and quick Slack messages. But that’s precisely what grinds the gears of the younger folks. We value efficiency and believe that an email or text could handle 90% of these conversations without interrupting the workflow.  

Unleashing the Mighty Power of Reply-All

 

  Boomers tend to believe that information should be available to everyone—hence, the overuse of the reply-all button. They think it’s about transparency and community, but for Millennials and Gen Z, it’s more like an invasion of privacy. The younger gens prefer a more focused, direct communication style that doesn’t involve airing the dirty laundry to the entire office.  

Formal Meetings – Boomers’ Love Language

 

  Ah, the formal meeting—a Boomer staple. For them, face-to-face time is critical for effective communication and decision-making. Yet, for younger folks, this can often translate into wasted hours that could’ve been spent actually getting work done. In today’s world, where agility and multitasking reign supreme, these formal sit-downs often feel outdated and stodgy.  

Question-Asking Time Bandits

 

  Why Google something when you can ask a living, breathing person, right? That seems to be the Boomer mindset. They believe asking a human fosters connections and ensures accurate information. But for the digital natives, this is a surefire way to interrupt their work and slow down the entire process. It’s like asking someone for directions when you have a GPS in your hand.  

The Mad Rush for Titles and Promotions

 

  Career growth is a lifelong marathon for Boomers. They’ve been raised to believe that promotions are the ultimate sign of workplace value and achievement. Yet, the obsession with titles can create an unnecessarily competitive environment for younger folks. Millennials and Gen Z care more about workplace culture and job satisfaction than climbing an arbitrary corporate ladder.  

The Print-a-Palooza

 

  Why Boomers print so much stuff is beyond comprehension. Raised in an era where paper was king, they find comfort in having a physical copy of documents. Unfortunately, this eco-unfriendly habit worries younger folk about sustainability and the extra work of managing all that paper.  

Minute Counters or Time Lords?

 

  To Boomers, time management is synonymous with being seated at your desk, chipping away at the job for a strict number of hours. For them, this shows dedication and discipline. But for younger people, who measure productivity in tasks completed rather than time spent, it’s an outdated and stress-inducing metric.  

Term of Endearment or Cringe Fest?

 

  The ‘darlings’ and ‘loves’ might sound sweet to a Boomer’s ears as it harkens back to a “friendlier” time in the office. However, for Millennials and Gen Z, it comes off as inauthentic and patronizing. Younger workers prefer straightforward, respectful language that treats everyone as equals.  

Call Me, Maybe Not!

 

  Boomers often ring people up with no consideration for their schedule. For them, a call means urgency, a matter of importance. But for the younger workforce, who live and die by their Google Calendar, unscheduled calls are a nuisance that throws a wrench into their carefully planned day.  

Job Titles – The Invisible Fences

 

  To Boomers, hierarchy and job titles are meant to streamline communication and responsibilities. However, these boundaries can seem stifling for younger people, hindering collaboration and open dialogue. It’s as if the corporate ladder isn’t just for climbing but also for keeping people in their specific rungs.  

The Office or The Living Room?

 

  Remote work is a foreign concept to many Boomers, even after the pandemic. They equate physical presence with accountability and dedication. Yet, for Millennials and Gen Z, who value work-life balance, the insistence on being office-bound feels archaic and limiting. It’s the twenty-first century, for goodness sake!  

Business Lingo from Another Era

 

  The Boomers’ fondness for outdated jargon isn’t just amusing, it’s confusing. They grew up in a corporate culture that valued big words and fancy phrases. Meanwhile, younger generations prefer clear and direct language. Less is more, right? There’s no point in using complicated language when simple words can get the point across effectively, too.  

A Sticky Note for Every Thought

 

  In Boomerland, sticky notes are like tiny paper lifeboats. Each one holds a vital piece of information. The younger folks, who are more tech-savvy, find this sea of notes disorganized and inefficient compared to digital tools that can do the job better. Many younger generations think using so much paper wastes valuable resources.  

Where’s the Evidence? Oh, Right, It’s Verbal

 

  When Boomers prefer calls to emails, it’s usually because they think it’s quicker and clearer. But without a paper trail (or an email trail, in this case), it’s your word against theirs. Younger workers find this lack of accountability frustrating and risky. They want boomers to leave a written trail of their actions with emails instead of phone calls.  

The Holy Lunch Hour

 

  To Boomers, lunch breaks are a sacred institution. It’s their time to unplug and recharge. Millennials and Gen Z, on the other hand, often prefer to snack and work simultaneously, finding the Boomer tradition unnecessarily rigid. They don’t have time to snack and have to keep working instead!  

Suits and Ties, Oh My!

 

  Boomers come from a time when your outfit signified your professionalism. Younger generations, who prefer comfort and individuality, see the strict dress code as an unnecessary conformity that stifles creativity. They argue that as long you’re working hard, it shouldn’t matter what clothes you’re wearing.  

Being a Boss vs. Being a Leader

 

  For Boomers, holding a management title is the ultimate goal. However, Millennials and Gen Z are looking for mentors rather than just bosses. They value leaders who can guide, inspire, and allow autonomy rather than micromanage other people. And, honestly, who wouldn’t like to have that.  

By the Rulebook, Always

 

  Rules are a Boomer’s best friend. They see regulations as the glue that holds the workplace together. For younger people, who thrive on flexibility and innovation, an over-reliance on rules can feel suffocating and hinder creativity. These younger generations would prefer for things to be more context-appropriate.  

Lost in Southern Translation: 18 Baffling Phrases from the South That’ll Leave Y’all Reaching for a Dictionary

  The Southern United States has a rich linguistic tradition that can often be a puzzle to those unfamiliar with the region’s unique vernacular. It’s not just the charming accent, but also the colorful phrases and expressions that add a dash of spice to the language. Let’s decode 18 such Southern phrases.

Lost in Southern Translation: 18 Baffling Phrases from the South That’ll Leave Y’all Reaching for a Dictionary

 

The Unpopular Yet Lucrative: 13 High-Paying Jobs Few Choose to Pursue

Despite their attractive salaries, there are specific high-paying jobs that need help to attract candidates due to various reasons. These unique professions offer financial rewards but often require more individuals to undertake the associated challenges. Let’s explore 14 such occupations that require specialized skills or involve demanding conditions but come with significant monetary compensation. The Unpopular Yet Lucrative: 13 High-Paying Jobs Few Choose to Pursue

Unmasking the Unpleasant: 12 Telltale Signs You Might Just Be a ‘Terrible Person’

You can tell if someone is a good person based on their words and actions. You can also use the same standard to determine if someone isn’t a good person. But what should you be looking for? An online community asked its members to describe the characteristics of someone who isn’t a good person, and the results were eye-opening Unmasking the Unpleasant: 12 Telltale Signs You Might Just Be a ‘Terrible Person’