The workplace has undergone a massive transformation over the past few decades, with technology, communication, and societal norms changing the way we work. Many baby boomers, however, came of age in a professional world that looked very different from today’s, and some of their habits leave younger generations scratching their heads. These quirks, while often rooted in practicality or tradition, can feel outdated in the modern office. Let’s explore some of the work habits boomers swear by that can baffle millennials and Gen Z.
1. Relying on Phone Calls for Everything
Boomers grew up in an era where the phone was king, and for them, picking up the receiver is the quickest way to get things done. Whether it’s discussing project updates, coordinating meetings, or even resolving conflicts, they’ll reach for the phone without hesitation. To younger generations, who prefer emails, texts, or collaborative platforms like Slack, this insistence on phone calls can feel inefficient and intrusive, especially when a quick message could suffice.
What confuses younger workers even more is the expectation to answer the phone immediately, regardless of what they’re working on. Millennials and Gen Z value asynchronous communication that respects their time, making the boomer approach feel outdated. Still, this habit stems from a time when phone calls were seen as the most reliable way to ensure clarity and connection.
2. Sticking to a Strict 9-to-5 Schedule
For many boomers, work begins at 9 a.m. sharp and ends at 5 p.m. without any deviation, a structure ingrained during their careers in more rigid office environments. Younger generations, accustomed to flexible schedules and remote work, often find this adherence to specific hours puzzling. They prioritize productivity over clocking hours and believe that as long as the work gets done, the timing shouldn’t matter.
The boomer mindset reflects an era when visibility and “being present” were essential for career advancement. To them, sticking to a schedule demonstrates discipline and reliability. For millennials and Gen Z, it can feel like an unnecessary constraint in a world where technology allows work to happen anytime, anywhere.
3. Keeping Personal and Professional Lives Separate
Boomers were taught to leave their personal lives at the door when they entered the office, a habit that many still adhere to today. This means they’re unlikely to share personal struggles, discuss family matters, or bring their whole selves to work. Younger generations, by contrast, value authenticity and believe that blending personal and professional lives fosters better relationships and understanding among colleagues.
This difference often leads to confusion when boomers seem aloof or overly formal in workplace interactions. For them, it’s not about being cold but about maintaining boundaries that were considered essential for professionalism. Millennials and Gen Z, however, see this as outdated, favoring workplaces that embrace vulnerability and emotional intelligence.
4. Printing Everything Out
Boomers often prefer hard copies of documents, whether it’s meeting agendas, reports, or contracts. This habit, rooted in a time when paper was the primary medium for communication, can leave younger colleagues baffled in an age of cloud storage and digital collaboration tools. Millennials and Gen Z view printing as unnecessary and wasteful, preferring to access everything on their devices.
For boomers, though, having physical copies provides a sense of permanence and security. It’s a tangible backup in case technology fails, which was a valid concern when computers and networks were less reliable. To younger generations, who’ve grown up trusting digital solutions, this reliance on paper feels like a relic of a bygone era.
5. Prioritizing Face-to-Face Meetings
In-person meetings were the cornerstone of workplace communication for boomers, and many still prefer gathering everyone in a room to discuss important matters. Younger generations, however, often see these meetings as time-consuming and unnecessary when the same information could be conveyed via email or a quick video call.
Boomers value the personal touch of face-to-face interactions, believing they foster stronger relationships and ensure clear communication. Millennials and Gen Z, on the other hand, prioritize efficiency and feel that dragging everyone into a meeting for minor updates is a waste of time. This clash highlights differing views on the role of technology in streamlining workplace communication.
6. Relying Heavily on Formal Memos
For boomers, formal memos were the gold standard for communicating important information, and some still prefer this method to email or instant messaging. Younger workers, accustomed to quick, informal communication, often find this habit unnecessarily slow and rigid. Why draft a lengthy, carefully worded memo when a short Slack message could suffice?
Boomers see memos as a way to ensure clarity and professionalism, a reflection of the structured environments they’re used to. While millennials and Gen Z appreciate clear communication, they value speed and adaptability more. This difference underscores how workplace norms evolve alongside technological advances.
7. Overreliance on Business Cards
For boomers, exchanging business cards is a key networking ritual, and they always have a stack on hand at conferences and meetings. Younger generations, however, are more likely to connect on LinkedIn or exchange contact information digitally, making business cards seem redundant.
To boomers, handing out a business card is a tangible, personal gesture that establishes credibility. Millennials and Gen Z, who live in a digital-first world, view it as an outdated practice. This difference reflects the shift from physical to virtual tools in building professional relationships.
8. Prioritizing Longevity Over Job-Hopping
Boomers often spent decades with a single employer, valuing loyalty and stability. Younger generations, however, are more comfortable switching jobs every few years to pursue growth and better opportunities. To boomers, this job-hopping can seem reckless or disloyal, while millennials and Gen Z see it as a strategic move to advance their careers.
This difference stems from the vastly different job markets the generations have faced. Boomers worked in an era where long-term employment was rewarded with pensions and promotions, while younger workers operate in a gig economy where adaptability is key. The contrast highlights changing attitudes toward career development.
9. Using Personal Checks for Reimbursements
Boomers are more likely to use personal checks for things like work reimbursements or splitting group expenses, a habit that baffles younger colleagues who rely on apps like Venmo or PayPal. Writing and mailing a check feels like an unnecessary hassle in an era of instant digital transactions.
For boomers, checks represent a secure and reliable way to handle money, a habit ingrained long before digital payment systems existed. While millennials and Gen Z appreciate convenience, boomers value the familiarity and control that checks provide. This clash is a reflection of how technology has reshaped financial practices.
10. Preferring Formal Attire Over Casual Wear
Boomers often stick to traditional business attire, even as workplaces have shifted to more casual dress codes. Younger generations, who grew up in an era of hoodies and sneakers in the office, find this commitment to suits and ties unnecessary and overly formal.
For boomers, dressing professionally is about respect and projecting competence, values that were drilled into them early in their careers. Millennials and Gen Z, however, prioritize comfort and authenticity, believing that clothes don’t define their abilities. This difference underscores changing perceptions of professionalism.
11. Refusing to Delegate Tasks
Boomers often take a hands-on approach to work, preferring to handle tasks themselves rather than delegate them to others. Younger workers, however, value collaboration and believe that dividing responsibilities leads to greater efficiency.
For boomers, this habit stems from a sense of responsibility and a desire to maintain control over outcomes. Millennials and Gen Z, raised on teamwork and shared workloads, see it as an inefficient use of time and resources. This contrast reflects differing approaches to productivity.
12. Preferring Face Time Over Results
Boomers often equate long hours at the office with dedication, believing that being physically present is a key marker of success. Younger generations, by contrast, focus on results and see no need to stay late if the work is done.
This habit reflects a work culture that valued visibility over output, a norm that is slowly fading in favor of performance-based evaluations. Millennials and Gen Z, who embrace remote work and flexible schedules, find this mindset outdated and inefficient. It’s a shift that highlights the evolving definitions of hard work and productivity.
Boomers’ habits are often rooted in practicality and tradition, but they can feel puzzling in a modern workplace shaped by technology and changing attitudes. While these quirks can sometimes create friction, they also offer an opportunity for generations to learn from each other and adapt to new ways of working. After all, every generation brings its own unique strengths to the table, making the workplace richer and more dynamic.
