Graduate employees have higher ethical standards and more social skills than older generations.

Onrec reports a personality study of different generations challenged the stereotype of the ‘surly and aggressive’ youth by revealing those in their early 20s claim higher ethical standards, greater attention to details and more social skills than older generations.

Talent Q compared the data of nearly 4,000 people across three generations and found the ‘grumpy old man’ tag is still relevant while Baby Boomers (those born just after World War II) are more adaptable and open to radical ideas, but less socially-confident, less ambitions and less socially adept than younger workers.

However, Onrec states Generation Y, the 20-something group including students and graduates, do have their failings, being less adaptable to variety and change, less likely to be good decision-makers and less able to cope with a fast pace of work.

Talent Q’s Chairman Roger Holdsworth told Onrec: “The days where a person has a job for life are long gone, so it’s perverse that the ‘Generation Y’ psyche appears to show less adaptability, efficiency and dynamism than older generations. The 20-somethings we studied were also less resilient, less confident at negotiation and decision-making, less influential in a leadership capacity and less able or willing to follow the rules – all of which is concerning for the future.

“But there were positives too. In stark contrast to popular perceptions of surly, selfish and aggressive youth, the younger generation claims to have a stronger ethical code, is more socially aware and more in tune with other’s behaviour than their elders.”

He added: “The research also suggests the stereotype of grumpy old men – and women – has a grain of truth to it. Our studies found that the Baby Boomers were generally less socially adept and comfortable with different people than younger generations. In other words, the ‘Victor Meldrew’ caricature actually appears closer to the mark than we might think.”