Introduction
The importance of discussion multi-gen workplaces lies in the fact that every company will at one point or another have multiple different generations in the workplace at once. This will in turn lead to a diverse workforce with many different perspectives, views, and work styles. Although diversity in the workplace can help foster innovation and creativity due to so many different ideas, it can also lead to conflicts as people are less likely to compromise. In order to get the positive effects out of a multi-generational workforce and avoid the negatives, it is important to understand and accept the differences between the generations and how this will affect their perspectives. Depending on who you ask, the years that designate generations may vary. For the purposes of this blog, we’ll take Beresford Research’s generation breakdown.
Baby Boomers
According to Emma Waldman, an Associate Editor for the Harvard Business Review, Baby Boomers are stereotyped as “collaborative but averse to change.” And according to Jamie Chamberlin of the American Psychological Association, Baby Boomers are seen as “disengaging from their work, not interested in training and development, as rigid and inflexible.” However, a study done by researchers at the Sloan Center on Aging and Work at Boston College found the opposite. According to the study, these employees may be the “most engaged and healthy employees.” They also found that surprisingly older and younger workers typically have similar interests regarding their workplace. Some of these similar ideals are; flexible schedules, learning opportunities, supportive supervisors, and fairness within promotions.
Gen-X
In writing for Indeed, Jennifer Herrity details common characteristics found in Gen-X workers. Gen-X workers grew up in an age of independence and joined the workforce at the advent of the internet, giving them an adaptability and comfort when it comes to advancing and changing technologies. Because millennials are still figuring out their positions in the workplace and baby boomers are coming up on retirement, Gen-Xers are being looked at by workplace authorities as the most reliable and consistent employees. Because of their position in the workplace, it is important for their co-workers to understand the things that they value. Gen-Xers consider things like task independence, a strong work-life balance, and flexible and diverse responsibilities.
Millennials
According to Clark University’s Jeffrey Jensen Arnett, millennials are often mismanaged and misunderstood by employers. Society often believes this generation is lazy and doesn’t work hard. However, there is no evidence to support this. In fact, individuals in this generation are often just looking for work that suits their abilities and interests. Millennials tend to have a tendency to assert themselves and go against the status quo in workplaces that are not designed for this type of engagement. This is where the negative stereotypes stem from.
Gen-Z
Beresford Research defines Generation Z as those born between 1997 and 2012. These are the young men and women who have just entered the workforce or are preparing to do so in the coming years. These new workers have demands and expectations will look different than the generations prior. According to The Economist, Gen Z workers are entering the workforce as the most qualified employees, with 66.2% of new Gen Z workers having college degrees. Gen Z workers are more assured of what they want, which is job security and flexibility. Having grown up in a world with one severe economic crash and global pandemic during their youth, Gen Z workers are more drawn to industries that are unchanging and offer more virtual working options (The Economist).
Why Does This Matter?
A thriving workplace will feature a diversity of viewpoints. This means different genders, races, ethnicities, and generations working together in harmony to best achieve an organization’s goals. Though it would be easy for generational gaps to inhibit positive workflow, we must be willing to overcome these differences in viewpoint in order to achieve success. The best way to do this is by understanding each generation, how they view work, and what unique insights they can bring to the table. After all, understanding and positively working with other generations promotes a healthy flow of ideas and can give us beneficial viewpoints outside of our own.
Citations
Beresford Research (n.d.). Age Range by Generation. Retrieved April 13, 2023, from https://www.beresfordresearch.com/age-range-by-generation/
Chamberlin, J. (n.d.). Overgeneralizing the Generations. Monitor on Psychology. Retrieved April 15, 2023, from https://www.apa.org/monitor/2009/06/workplaces
The Economist Newspaper. (n.d.). What Gen-Z Graduates Want from Their Employers. The Economist. Retrieved April 15, 2023, from https://www.economist.com/business/2022/07/21/what-gen-z-graduates-want-from-their-employers?utm_medium=cpc.adword.pd&utm_source=google&ppccampaignID=17210591673&ppcadID=&utm_campaign=a.22brand_pmax&utm_content=conversion.direct-response.anonymous&gclid=CjwKCAjw0N6hBhAUEiwAXab-TSbhZe7oeumiPovwF3_-c3JG85UvcpDbQAtQpbRLyqPu7JZ9PeDtdhoCPDIQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
Herrity, Jennifer. (2023, March 10). 4 Common Characteristics of Generation X Workers. Indeed.com. Retrieved April 16, 2023 from https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/generation-x-professional-characteristics#:~:text=Gen%20Xers%20are%20self%2Dsufficient,to%20advance%20in%20your%20career.
Waldman, E. (2021, October 11). How to Manage a Multi-Generational Team. Harvard Business Review. Retrieved April 15, 2023, from https://hbr.org/2021/08/how-to-manage-a-multi-generational-team