I fall into the Gen X category. Although I would gladly go back to the 1990s, I try to stay in the loop with today’s pop culture. I listen to new music, watch cool films and t.v., try to keep up my cyber-skills, and am versed in various types of social media. Yes, I can carry on an intelligent conversation with a Millennial.  At least, I think so. They’re probably mocking me behind my back.

Generation X. I used to be proud to be part of that demographic. Today, it simply translates to old. No longer relevant. My ways are antiquated. I am middle-aged. Past my prime.

The curse of death.

I notice the difference most when I consider the workplace. I am of that generation who believes an employee should be rewarded for loyalty, longevity, a job well done. Trained thoroughly on company procedures. Given chances to falter and count those experiences toward learning. From my experience, those traits are no longer valued. You’re hired because you have experience and you’re good at what you do. The employer basically tells you what you want to hear – that this is a huge opportunity, and as their fledgling company grows, there will be a place for you doing exactly what you are best suited to do. You’re getting in on the ground floor. That’s the bait, You naively bite, innocently believing that what people say is the truth. You take the job, work your ass off for an insulting amount of money, hoping for that growth and the position you were promised. Instead, you gradually get pushed further and further to the back of the line, notice that there’s less and less opportunity, less respect. More and more younger people are hired, coming in as your superior. You get passed over for promotions, other positions. Because you’ve been in the workforce for years, or maybe you’re just intuitive,  you know exactly what they’re doing. You can see the writing on the wall. They are looking for reasons to boot you. Something that won’t get them sued, but neither of you can concretely prove. They’re devious and smart that way. They’re systematically pushing you out. Your usefulness and time have expired. Then, it’s just over. No hard feelings, good luck. You find the exact same approach was taken with other former co-workers. Apparently, that’s how those things are done these days. It still boggles my mind.

It is also a relief, being out of an environment where you’re not respected, encouraged, valued. It’s a soul-crushing learning experience.

Old folks like me aren’t used to changing jobs every year. There used to be a stigma attached to that. Now I see that it’s actually the norm. Especially if your superiors and coworkers are younger. Millennials. It’s how most of them operate. There’s always something better around the corner, short-lived as it might be. And after that ends -another opportunity. Ad nausem.  Patching together a career. Or they come in, straight out of college, making obscene amounts of money.

Thing is, Gen Xers can’t move back in with their parents when they are “in between jobs”. A lot of us have families and children, schedules we have to work around. We have mortgages, our families need insurance, we want to be able to retire at some point. Being aged out of the new workforce, there’s no guarantee that we will even secure another position. Certainly not one like we had 15 years ago.

We, the Gen Xers and older, simply view employment in a different way.

We expect too much. Like decent pay for decent work, respect, leadership from our superiors, some security, and a little mutual trust.

Those days are gone.

The lesson I’ve learned: either you change or get left behind. Honestly, I’m not sure which is worse. Sell your soul to the 20-something Devil, work for a pittance, and expect the axe to drop any time – or – what? Go on public assistance? Be a part-time greeter at Walmart? What ARE our choices?

It’s a bitch when the bratty kids you used to babysit are in the authority positions.

Oh, how I wish I could still put them in time out.