I marvel at young reporters who turn stories on deadline while sipping a cappuccino in Starbucks. The concept of working from anywhere at any time is second nature, something they never even question. It’s an option my generation never had when we came on the work scene, when laptops, Wi-Fi and compassionate bosses were scarce. Now, here we are, the 30 and 40-year-olds who make up Generation X, managing the twenty-somethings as their supervisors and mentors and trying to figure out why they have such a different attitude about work and what to do about it. Most of us haven’t really thought about the important role we play in molding this new generation of workers. I wrote recently about how the recession has been a giant slice of humble pie for younger workers, turning bold and brash Generation Y into Generation Comply. From their first entry into the workplace a few years ago, Gen Y, smart and brash, has bumped up against corporate cultures steeped in the chained-to-your-desk mentality. Nationally, advocacy groups are putting up a good fight to coax workplaces to be more accommodating about where and when work gets done. The White House even launched its own push for flexibility. But Gen Y consistently says their biggest obstacle is managers who can’t let go of the need to exercise authority over employees – in person. Read more.

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Gen X faces a unique challenge in Gen Y