WORKERS young and old are at loggerheads like never before as we return to the office.
Two in five staff clash with Millennials, aged 25 to 39, for clinging to working from home, a survey for workplace consultants Robert Walters found.
Gen Zs, aged 18 to 24, annoy by fixating on health and wellness, while a quarter of Baby Boomers, aged 55 to 74, are seen by juniors as “out of touch”.
But calm down everyone, trusty Gen X, aged 40 to 55, tend to act as peacemakers.
We speak to the different tribes about the scraps . . .
BOOMER: Property consultant and mum-of-two Dawn Patter- son, 63, of Gloucester, says: “After Covid, workplace divides are more obvious.
“Everyone wants to ‘live their best life’ but we must rebuild the economy, not slack.
“I’m proud of my work ethic. It baffles me when Gen Zs get up from their desks as the clock strikes 5pm to go to yoga or meditation classes. I’ll be picking up the slack.
I’ve worked in an office since I was 18. Even when I had my two children, I rejected full maternity leave. As a proud Baby Boomer I wanted to get back to work.
My desk is full of unfinished reports because Gen Zs and Millennials are working from home, off to a wellness course or claiming their ‘work-life balance needs a re-focus.
GEN X: Security firm administrator Tony Murolo, 40, from Southend, Essex, says: “I was raised to make work a priority, I’m a resourceful and flexible worker and try to get along with everyone.
“After the pandemic the workforce has been divided into those who always get it done and those whose priorities are elsewhere.
“I’d love to go to the gym in the middle of the day but my workload and sense of pride won’t allow it.
“I’ve seen youngsters come in for interviews and tell potential bosses they need to fit work round therapy sessions and ‘best life’ requirements.
“I almost choked on my coffee. You should feel lucky to have a job.
“When millennials work from home it’s hard to tell if they’re hard at it or messing about — and don’t get me started on people who won’t take a phone call because it makes them ‘anxious’.”
MILLENNIAL: Website content creator and mum-of-one Jessica Earnden, 32, from Chester, says: “Before lockdown I spent a big chunk of my life commuting. It was exhausting. I’m the mum of a 14-month-old and it feels I am constantly juggling.
“In the pandemic, working from home made me more productive and I could focus on every aspect of life.
“I am now allowed to work from home four days a week and go into the office once. This makes childcare and home chores more manageable and I get quality time with family. I can also cut my carbon footprint — and I grew up with social media so don’t need the office chit-chat.
GEN Z: Crime analyst Kamil Lonski, 22, of Rugby, Warks, says: “As soon as my shift is over at 4pm I’m at the gym. I’ve seen older generations work themselves to the bone and suffer health problems.
“People complain Gen Z are lazy — we’re not. My work-life balance makes me much more efficient. My generation are also tech savvy and don’t need long meetings to grasp concepts. Texting and messaging is how we do business. It’s faster, and efficient. Work smarter, not longer.”
