These figures strongly suggest that the perception that all GenXers are work-dodgers is false. In fact, the data above reveal that Generation X's workforce attachment, especially in Minnesota, is greater than that of Baby Boomers when they were the same age. Overall, these high participation rates for GenXers in Minnesota and across the nation are particularly interesting, especially when one considers that roughly half of those currently aged 16 to 24 are also enrolled in school. With regard to gender, more GenX women have also entered and remained in the state and national workforce when compared to Baby Boom women. GenXers work less.
Generation X spends more time at work.
A related labor market myth concerns the amount of time that WorkforceX spends working. In particular, this study found that GenXers average 45 hours a week at their main jobs and 47 hours a week at all of their jobs combined. By contrast, Baby Boomers, when they were roughly the same age, averaged 41 hours a week at their main job and 43 hours a week of combined employment. Consequently, when workforce data are combined with findings from the Institute's study, this second labor market myth is readily cast aside. Furthermore, these combined data suggest that WorkforceX indeed spends more time on the job than the previous generation.