July 29, 2005 10:21 AM

Workplace of the future
Posted by Douglas Eisenhartat 10:21 AM

For many of my (Baby Boomer) generation, during the course of our careers we've watched as information technology has increasingly penetrated the workplace and fundamentally changed the nature of work and how we do it. Having started full-time work in the early 1970's, I could tell some real log cabin stories, but I won't.

The generation coming along behind us, however, which some call Gen Y, and which includes my 19-year old daughter, was born into a computer-based world. And they will bring their wired and wireless habits with them into the workplace.

For a glimpse of what that future workplace might look like, consider the findings on youth and technology as reported by the Pew Internet & American Life Project:

Three-quarters of wired teens use instant message, compared with 42 percent of online adults who do so. Teens most often reserve instant messaging for friends and e-mail for adults, including parents and teachers.

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Older teen girls who were surveyed, ages 15 to 17, are among the most intense users of the Internet and cellphones, including text messaging.

Whether this is good or bad news remains to be seen. But I can tell you based on my own survey of one that these findings ring true.