#243 from R&D InnovatorVolume 5, Number 10          October 1996

FORUM—from our readers

Generation-Gap In the Lab

I wonder how many other “old” researchers find themselves in my predicament? I’m over 50 and have spent my entire career with this company.  I routinely make important technical contributions, and have been well-rewarded for them.

Because of some luck and a few technical successes (in which I played a key role), the company has tripled in size over the past five years.  Since almost all new hires are recent college graduates, the average age now is around 30.  Even the three new vice presidents are younger than 40.  Therefore, there’s a large generation gap between myself and the new crew.  Unlike most of the researchers of my age bracket, I chose to remain in the laboratory rather than taking on an administrative or other role.  This then puts me (and a couple of other over-50’s) in even more of a minority situation in our research division.

Even though I probably will be working here for at least 10 more years, I’m feeling like a has-been.  A problem is developing in that the “youngsters” stick very close together, and seem to look down upon people not of their generation.  This is the first time this company has been so cliquish.  We “oldsters” still make our contributions.  But when there’s an especially exciting assignment, it always goes to our younger colleagues.  It’s almost like we’ve become assistants to the younger group.

A Culture Gap

There’s a cultural problem as well.  I don’t find it pleasant to constantly listen to loud rock and roll.  I’m not up to playing basketball with them over lunch.  And I have never found it appropriate to wear tee shirts with rude sayings.  While I don’t consider myself to be especially prudish, I still can’t get used to a swear word in every other sentence.

I’ve tried to get closer to them.  On many occasions I’ve joined them for lunch instead of gathering with my “old” cronies.  But mostly I’m ignored, not rudely, but they just don’t go out of their way to have a conversation with me.  They are certainly not interested in stories about the history of the company and some of its “characters.”

Here we are at an impasse.  I can’t be like them, and they have no need to adapt to me.

Therefore, through nothing I’ve specifically done, I’m now quite unhappy with work.  I do my job and contribute to the teams I’m involved with.  The one thing I’m not doing, however, is being creative.  I used to be very creative.  Somehow my creative energy was stoked by the pleasure of work.  That pleasure is now gone.

There are two lessons for R&D Innovator’s readers.  The first is that unhappy employees won’t be very creative. The second is that it will be in company’s best interest to assure that the working environment foster smooth and comfortable relationships among all employees. 

Keep in mind that the years it takes for a 30-year-old to become a 50-year-old go by pretty fast.  A more accepting environment now will help set the stage, and sensitivity, to deal optimally with the “oldsters” and new generation of “youngsters” twenty years from now.  (And maybe this article will help turn down the rock and roll decibel level in my—and, perhaps, your—research lab.)

Anonymous