Blog Post: Are you in the Sandwich Generation?

Sandwich Generation?  Hint: not the folks following the Subway Diet.  Typically I’ve heard of the sandwich generation as a reference to people who are caring for their both their children as well as their aging parents.  However, it has recently come to my attention that there is another group of people that are beginning to feel like the piece of salami in the sandwich.  

On the one hand we have the Baby Boomers who have worked their entire lives, demonstrated loyalty to their employers and worked hard to get ahead.  They are at a place in life where they are ready to scale back – work part time or take some extended time off and achieve an overall better work/life balance.  They have paid their dues and it’s time to reap the reward.

On the other hand we have a generation of younger workers – children of the Baby Boomers.  Many of the younger workforce are looking for that work/life balance today.  They value and expect recognition, flexible work schedules, etc.  I could go on, but you’ve all read descriptions of the work ethic and expectations of this generation in the research.  

In between are the people who are in their mid-30s and 40s.  I’m starting to hear laments of “hey, what about me?” from this sandwich generation.  They are suddenly feeling that they are the ones who are being expected to carry the burden in the organization. 

Here is an example.  There is a pavement marking company in Denver that must make the most of the warm weather.  Consequently they work – HARD – 12-16 hours a day, six days a week for as long as the temperature is over 50°.   They pay very well and the overtime is great.   The Boomers would work because a) it had to be done, b) they felt loyal to their employer, c) it was short term – summer does not last forever.  However, this company can’t find or keep younger employees.  Why?  Because the younger employees want two days off per week and the money is not as important as the time off.   “I’ll work hard, but I really need two days to recover” is the lament.  The employees they do keep want time off to go to this concert, or that event.

Meanwhile the crew supervisor, a man in his mid-30s, continues to work 6 days a week, sometimes up to 20 hours per day, picking up the slack for the ones who are too tired or call in sick because they just don’t want to work today.  He is the proverbial salami in the middle who feels like he is carrying the burden of the organization on his shoulders.  

Is this an anomaly or the beginning of another shift in employee expectations?  Companies are already addressing many of these issues and the sandwich generation will likely benefit in the long run.  Although larger companies are becoming more flexible, it is increasingly harder for the smaller companies.  Stay tuned – it’s only the start of a big change in the workplace!