Keeping an
Intergenerational Office Copacetic
By Esther
Francis Joseph
Today’s complicated office structure is made up of several
different generations of employees, yet there are two that can be
radically different: Baby Boomers (approaching retirement; born
between 1946 and 1964) and Millennials (entering the workforce;
between the ages of 18 to 30). Each age group is distinct in its own
way. When the groups are balanced they bring value, but when at
odds, they can make the workplace an unpleasant environment for all.
The workplace is destined to remain this way for some time since
today’s economy has dictated that more people continue to work
instead of retiring. What that means is the workplace is staffed by
intergenerational employees and the office space confronted with
problems caused by the age differences between those groups.
Some of the common intergenerational workplace problems include the
following:
Problem 1: Older workers treat Millenials like children. Millennials
who want to come to work in casual clothes are sometimes the subject
of discussion and disrespect amongst Baby Boomers in the office.
Older supervisors frequently micro-manage Millennials, especially
their computer use. Baby Boomers believe that Millennials waste
company resources by socializing, and spending too much time on
social networking sites and emails and keep a tight rein on how
Millennials use their work time. Millennials feel like they are
treated more like the Baby Boomers’ grand-children rather than their
coworkers.
Younger staff members need to understand that Baby Boomers are
often heavily invested in their work. They are efficient, and focus
on quality rather than quantity, and plan for their retirement.
Their preferred form of communicating is via telephone or in person.
They often consider reliance on technology and social media the
juvenile behavior of children.
Baby Boomers are rule followers; they step into their role at work
and adapt to it. Millennials feel that their job should be flexible
and mesh with the other aspects of their lives. This creates a
disparity in the way these two age groups regard their duties at the
same workplace. By understanding and respecting each other’s point
of view, coworkers can make necessary compromises in attitudes and
behavior to make their office fitting for all age groups.
Millennials would be well advised to follow guidelines considered
“hard and fast” by their more seasoned counterpart. At the same
time, Baby Boomers and Generation X employees would do well to allow
Millennials some leeway in situations that do not affect work
quality in order to keep the younger generation motivated.
Problem 2:
Lack of workplace etiquette in younger employees. A common
complaint from older employees is that the younger staff shows a
lack of protocol in the workplace. This includes, but is not limited
to:
Baby Boomers must realize that these actions may not be an
intentional lack of disrespect, but a hallmark of the generation.
Millennials are a multi-tasking group that communicates primarily by
social media, and their texting is sometimes work-related. Unlike
their older counterpart, Millennials celebrate diversity, value
friends the same as family, live for the moment and thrive on a
flexible yet supportive structured work environment.
When younger people find themselves in intergenerational offices
they should learn and respect the office policies of the company for
which they work. This does not mean giving up individuality but
rather a presentation of workplace courtesy. Giving adequate notice
when leaving a job; being professional in all forms of
communication; abiding by a company dress codes; and learning the
guidelines for texting in the office are simply good manners.
Problem 3: Lack of respect for young management from older
employees.
When an older worker moves to a company with younger management,
they can feel out of place. When a younger coworker is promoted,
older workers may find it difficult, and resist giving the proper
level of respect to the newly promoted person. While management
cannot make older workers feel comfortable working with younger
coworker or force respect from older to younger employees, they have
the duty to set the tone that they want their employees to follow
Often giving respect earns respect. It is one of the core values
that motivates the Baby Boomer generation. Younger management should
make an effort to communicate and improve the tone of the office,
they will often find that respect will come with time and results.
When Baby Boomers see that younger managers are effective, respect
follows.
Problem 4: A work environment that suits one generation but not
another.
Many different work environments exist today. An established law
firm with a strict dress code and rules could be a difficult fit for
a Millennial, but without the expertise of a younger workforce,
firms such as these would find it tough to compete in today’s
market. Companies such as Facebook and Google who are managed by
younger, creative managers could be a hard adjustment for older
employees. However, without the experience and expertise of older
staff members, companies could make costly mistakes.
Before accepting a job offer, Millennials need to know what the
office rules are. Older employees should seek out guidelines
concerning expectations for the job in a younger office setting.
Baby Boomers must let go of pre-conceived models of what is right
and wrong and must adapt to the new workplace, while still holding
on to their traditional work ethics. All the age groups should
strive to fit in and be productive members of their work team, while
staying true to who they are.
What Business Can Do:
Businesses can facilitate the challenges of their intergenerational
staff in a variety of ways, such as creating a forum in which
employees can discuss challenges, instituting a mentoring program,
and offering communication training. Strategic interpersonal
communication methods can help ease the challenges different
generations will face as they work together. The current job market
and workplace demand that companies foster the positive
characteristics of each age group if they are to prosper in these
trying economic times.
Read other articles and learn more about
Esther Francis Joseph.
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