Currently, four generations work in our modern workplaces, ranging from The Silent Generation to Millennials. All of these generations bring very different attitudes to the workplace. In no area are they more different, however, than in how these generations view and use technology. In particular there are stark generational differences between The Silent Generation and Baby Boomers, and the younger Millennials. Their attitudes towards technology compliance take two separate stances, as does most things.
Different attitudes toward technology impacts the possible pitfalls these generations have in organizational compliance. When teaching compliance to employees, it’s important to take the generations into account. Depending on the average generational range of your employees, these are the points you’ll want to emphasized for these age groups:
The Silent Generation and Baby Boomers: Ensuring Understanding of Technology
Although some members of these generations are highly tech savvy, they are the most likely age groups to have a lack of interest in keeping up with technology, or understanding the more recently adopted technology. They take compliance very seriously, but may make accidental errors through not understanding technical systems. For example, they may accidentally share confidential information publicly on a social media website, or they might inadvertently send emails through a non-secure server. With Silent Generation and Baby Boomer employees, focus on ensuring they understand how to use the technology at your workplace in a way that is compliant.
Millennials: Curtailing Open Sharing
The younger Millennial generation is highly sociable, more than their older peers, and grew up with the internet and social media. They tend to understand technology well, but also share more openly than the older generations. Without proper training, a Millennial may think nothing of looking at information they’re not allowed to view on a database, or sharing information openly on a social media network. Make sure your younger employees understand the limits of what company information they can divulge through clear, written and verbal training materials.
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