Generational Differences in Work Ethic Among Speech-Language Pathologists

Abstract

Purpose To date, there is limited available research with a specific focus on the potential differences in work ethic among speech-language pathologists from different social generations. The purpose of this study was to provide a better understanding of the work ethic profile of three generations of speech-language pathologists and, in particular, of any differences in work ethic profiles among the three generations. Method This study used a quantitative, nonexperimental, cross-sectional design to better understand work ethic among the three generations of speech-language pathologists through the use of an online survey containing the Multidimensional Work Ethic Profile–Short Form. Results The 814 surveys analyzed indicated that the three distinct generations of speech-language pathologists exhibited differences in four out of the seven dimensions of work ethic. Conclusions Through this study, the authors developed a work ethic profile for each of the three generations of speech-language pathologists licensed in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. While there were some similarities in the dimensions of work ethic among the three generational cohorts, statistically significant differences were discovered in the dimensions of Morality/Ethics, Leisure, Centrality of Work, and Wasted Time. Understanding differences in work ethic could be beneficial to employers, administrators, and supervisors for recruitment and retention purposes as well as to speech-language pathologists who work with colleagues of different generational cohorts.