How and why your business should be harnessing the power of the multigenerational workforce

What’s the age gap between your oldest and your youngest employee? Improved public health means that people are living longer and retiring later, which is resulting in a wider age gap within organisations. This can mean a single organisation has a greater range of attitudes, expectations and communication styles. In some cases, this may cause friction if generational differences lead employees to misunderstand each other. To avoid conflict, and ensure your dynamic workforce works productively and harmoniously, get to know the multigenerational differences.

Why you need to explore current workplace demographics

For the first time ever, five generations are working together:

• Generation Z: born between 2001 and 2020
• Millennials: born between 1981 and 2000
• Generation X: born between 1965 and 1980
• Baby Boomers: born between 1946 and 1964
• Silent Generation: born between 1925 and 1945

While a wide age-span in your workplace can bring many benefits if it is well integrated, the differences also have the potential to reduce employee engagement, lower productivity and increase staff turnover. The first step towards creating an inclusive culture to enable the highest levels of productivity, is understanding generational differences.

What are key generational differences?

Of course it’s important to treat every employee as an individual with different needs in terms of communication style, performance management and aspirations. But broadly speaking, each generation’s approach to work is likely to have the following features:

Silent generation (traditionalists) cherish relationships with authority, stability and meaningful work. They are often happy to mentor younger colleagues, like to publicly acknowledge achievements and like to have clearly set out objectives.

Baby boomers value and respect experience. They like being consulted, and the freedom to pursue hobbies. They prefer face-to-face meetings and like scheduled feedback.

Generation X are motivated by individually based recognition; flexibility when it comes to their work-life-balance; and autonomy. They prefer face-to-face contact but are also happy with phone or email communication. Unlike any of the other generations, they prefer individual work to collaboration.

Millennials are motivated by meaningful work and often seek fun workspaces. They often speak their mind and like flexible work environments. Being digital natives, they prefer email or text as their mode of communication and like to receive feedback on demand.

Generation Z seek work that aligns with their life’s purpose and will often be open to coaching and mentoring. Having grown up with technology, they often prefer mobile device-based communication methods and seek instantaneous feedback. They strongly prefer collaborative work environments.

How to create harmony

Each generation brings something to the table: while older generations can bring a wealth of experience, Generation X is adaptable and good at bridging the gap between new and old technology. Millennials and Generation Z are digitally competent and can embrace new technological developments, as well as bringing fresh, challenging ideas.

To create harmony in your workplace you can:

1. Ensure compensation and benefits packages suit all generations in your workforce. For example, provide: enhanced maternity pay; support for those going through the menopause; grandparents’ leave; retirement savings programs; life-long learning; and sabbaticals.
2. Provide flexible working arrangements to meet the needs of those with families; reduce barriers for those with mobility challenges; and encourage and support employees to pursue hobbies.
3. Design and adapt the workspace to accommodate all generations. For example, by providing ergonomic chairs and desks and adaptable lighting, and by bringing character to the office with plants which also has other benefits.

Encouraging multigenerational cohesion, and collaboration will keep members of your workforce at the top of their game when it comes to innovation and productivity.

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