While it is challenging to accommodate a multigenerational workplace, it is possible to navigate it, says expert
Companies now have four generations of employees in their workforce and employers face the challenge of dealing with their unique preferences and expectations in their line of work, as reported in an article by CBC.
The multigenerational workforce now consists of baby boomers, generation X, millennials, and generation Z employees. The difference of the ages in these employees also bear varied preferences and expectations in their work setup, ranging from office etiquette to work flexibility.
“It helps [companies] know how to attract talent to their organization,” said Evangeline Berube, associate director at Robert Half Management Resources, a management consulting firm based in Edmonton, as quoted in CBC.
“Understanding what each generation really would look for will help you attract talent. Then it will also help you retain the talent,” added Berube.
Generational preferences
According to Berube, millennials who have young families were most likely to prefer a work-from-home setup if they did so during the pandemic. In contrast, baby boomers had the tendency to prefer the five-day office week they had grown accustomed to.
Companies also now try to identify the strengths that each generation has when it comes to mentoring opportunities. While baby boomers have a lot of industry experience and were more familiar with face-to-face communication, millennials and gen Z employees were more adept in the use of technology since they grew up with it.
Berube said that while it is challenging to accommodate a multigenerational staff, it is possible to navigate through it. Being aware of their differences and communicating effectively through it, as well as finding the common ground among all of them, will help make things better for all employees.
Shani Gwin, founder and CEO of public relations agency pipikwan pêhtâkwan, stated that a multigenerational workforce enhances creativity and inspiration, while simultaneously helping in reflecting the four stages of life recognized in indigenous culture.
Gwin also noted that a diverse and positive work environment was valuable for younger workers, further saying that they preferred working somewhere that is driven by purpose.
Haruun Ali, a 20-year-old with multiple experiences working for restaurants, grocery stores and offices, and for non-profits, said that he has stayed longer at jobs whose employees had a diverse age range.
“When you have diversity in that age range, it makes the workplace a lot smoother,” he said.
However, he also said that employers need to keep them happy since team environments were especially important to those in the younger generations, as well as understanding when a personal life event may affect one’s work.
