What Is A MultiGenerational Workplace?
It is personnel comprised of people from different generations. This happens when people from different generational classifications come together in a workforce with a common goal. This has been present throughout history, although we are currently in the presence of the widest age diversity ever recorded. We see people from the Baby Boomer Generation (1946-1964) working together with Generation Z (1997-2012), there are 2 Generations of people in between these, to which we may end up having up to 4 different Generations working together in the same workforce.
The reason why the multigenerational workforce is wider than it has ever been is due to several factors. Firstly, people are working longer and delaying retirement. Secondly, younger generations are entering the workforce. Thirdly, people’s lifespan is longer than before. At the same time, technological advances are creating new job roles that previously did not exist, requiring a different set of skills and experience levels. Additionally, globalization is also a common factor that we should not overlook. You can notice this even in a diverse classroom, which provides a glimpse of how the future workforce will look like and the advantages that it may bring to both big and small organizations.
A Generation Break-Down
A multigenerational workplace is where a variety of different age groups and age gaps work in the same environment. These generations include baby boomers, Generation X, millennials, and Generation Z. The multigenerational workplace is becoming more common because of the unique traits and skills each generation brings. Their differences and similarities can amplify a company if employers know how to bridge their assets each generations brings to the table.
Every generation has its own skills, preferences, values these are shaped by their upbringing and environment around them. Baby boomers like having a good work-life balance, they like having flexibility and working remotely. Generation X are more adaptable to diversity, value work-life balance, have more entrepreneurial traits, and risk-takes, like more individual tasks. Millennials are more competitive, tech-savvy, encouraging (often give rewards just for participation rather than winning), prefer teamwork, more community-oriented. Lastly, Gen are tech-savvy, collaborative while also valuing independence, efficient multi-taskers, socially conscious.
Although, there’s a wide age gap between all the generations they’re more alike than we think. All of these generations want to be successful, they are result driven. Regardless of their age differences, these generations still want to show out and reach their goals. The multigenerationals still like to communicate, even if the style of communication is different. Each generation has a learning and growth mindset which means feedback is crucial for them.
Learning how to incorporate the differences and similarities between the multigenerations can lead to a better workplace.
Why Should We Care About A MultiGenerational Workplace?
Everyone should care about having a multigenerational workplace because even though it comes with a lot of challenges, it has benefits that certainly overpower the struggles. Although, whenever you hear someone talking about a multigenerational workplace you might think that it can be a pain working with someone older or younger than you, in the long run, it increases skills and experiences by sharing a common space with someone who might have a different perspective than you.
Having a multigenerational workplace enforces fundamental values such as mutual respect for each other. By being in this type of environment you are going to be able to challenge harmful stereotypes about each other’s generations and you will even find out how there’s more similarities between each other than differences; which will make you be more tolerant and have an open mind when it comes to working with other people. This type of workplace will also drive you to voice your concerns more often as well as talking about your own boundaries and respecting other people’s preferences. This is important in any kind of work environment so by gaining this experience you will become an engaging person at work which will impact your job performance and productivity in the workplace positively.
Challenges Faced by A MultiGenerational Workplace
Multi generational workplace brings together ideas and solution from different perspectives of people from various age group. However, it also comes with some barriers, issues, and challenges. The first barrier that comes to multi-generational workplace is barriers while communicating. Age plays a huge role when communicating with others. The older generation prefers to communicate offline and more formally when the younger generation prefers to communicate via online and they are a little informal compared to the older generation. Another major challenge faced in a multi generation workplace is differences between work styles. Baby boomers and millennials prefer to work longer and in a specific time frame while Gen Z prefer to have flexibility and more comfortable with remote work.
Issues in training and development is another significant challenge that multigenerational workplace faces. Learning and training styles differ from generation to generation. Baby boomers and millennials prefer to have offline training, while Gen Zs’ are more comfortable with technology based training. When it comes to development in tech Gen Zs’ are more advanced and sometimes it causes conflict as the older generation are resistant to adapt with the new technology. Generation gap can also lead to biases while working. People tend to be more open and comfortable with people their age. These conflicts can hamper the job performance and job success rate greatly.
Benefits to A MultiGenerational Workplace
Multigenerational teams working in the same workplace offer a variety of benefits. Predominantly, a multigenerational workplace encourages the exchange of distinct viewpoints and best practices. Experienced professionals play an essential role in the career development of younger employees. By imparting the valuable knowledge and expertise they have gained from prior experiences, they can act as mentors to the younger employees, teaching them effective managerial and business strategies. Comparably, according to reverse mentorship, younger employees paired with senior staff can assist them in staying acquainted with new technology, social media, and current trends.
Working in a multigenerational space, along with increased innovation and creativity, employees with persistent collaborative work routines are better likely to add increased value to their business relationships, eventually creating strong bonds within their teams. When distinct age groups come together and act as mentors to one another, it leads to additional motivation and the drive to produce quality work both independently and interdependently. Not only that, when workers feel a sense of similarity, solace, and accomplishment as a part of their teams, they remain with the same teams and companies for a longer period of time, contributing to employee longevity. Thus, businesses that promote an engaging and collaborative multigenerational workforce benefit from the competitive advantage of attracting both young and experienced competencies.
How Can This Be Applied to the Workforce?
A multigenerational workplace is when a company has employees of all different ages,from different generations who work together to complete common goals in the interest of the company. A multigenerational workplace might seem like a difficult group to manage, but in reality, there are many benefits to a work environment of different ages. Generational diversity is something that is often overlooked as less important as part of diversity inclusion, but hiring people of all different ages can create a diverse environment that brings people with new perspectives to the work environment.
As far as how to manage a multigenerational workforce and apply it to the workplace, education is considerably important. Educating employees on the differences and similarities between the generations can help coworkers foster an equitable work environment. Employees can learn how to embrace each other’s different skill levels when they learn more about each other. Diversity inclusion workshops can be helpful in encouraging inclusion among coworkers. Often, diversity inclusion workshops are focused more on ethnic and racial diversity empowerment/incorporation, but shifting the focus to also include age diversity can have a powerful impact. Ignorance is often the cause of discrimination and bias, so educating workers about biases and stereotypes can help bring awareness, and hopefully stop any generational discrimination.