New York — Sept. 3

Generations Y and X are moving into management roles at a fast pace, according to a new survey.

Between 2008 and 2013, 87 percent of Gen Y managers took on a management role vs. 38 percent of Gen X managers and 19 percent of baby boomer managers , according to a survey by professional services firm Ernst & Young, or EY. By comparison, from 2003 to 2008, 12 percent Gen Y managers , 30 percent Gen X managers and 23 percent of boomer managers moved into management.

EY’s external online generations survey of polled more than 1,200 U.S., cross-company professionals. The responses were evenly split from managers and non-managers in three select generations — Gen Y, Gen X and baby boomers.

In considering today’s economic climate, most respondents selected Gen X (80 percent) as being equipped to manage effectively, followed closely by boomers (76 percent) and Gen Y (27 percent), according to the survey.

Looking ahead to 2020, respondents’ positive opinion of Gen X managers (65 percent) still persists and outpaces boomers (27 percent) and Gen Y, but the expectations that Gen Y will manage effectively in 2020 nearly double — from 27 percent now to 51 percent in 2020.

As expected, boomers were least likely to be identified as equipped to manage effectively in 2020, possibly because respondents expect more boomers to move into retirement.

Source: EY