The latest buzzword is diversity in the workplace, and companies are identifying themselves as equal-opportunity employers. As they should be.Nothing shows diversity like an age gap, and companies are starting to realise that. The main reason for diversity is inclusivity, but it also makes better business sense.
A “generation” is a group of people who are all born about the same time. They are believed to exhibit similar traits and characteristics.Baby Boomers Bringing together several generations means the team benefits from different skill sets and attitudes. It is no surprise that millennials are technology experts. They are confident, comfortable with multitasking and require regular feedback.
Feedback and rewards are essential to them, and they prefer a flexible lifestyle over money. They like structured, small teams, and have a strong commitment to social responsibility.Having a multigenerational team can create conflict in the workplace. Problems a manager might face in managing a multigenerational team include:The older and younger generations tend to use different methods to communicate. The former may reach for the phone while the latter sends an instant message .
Such stereotypes can cause prejudice and conflicts based on gross generalisation. Managers can get caught in the middle because their point of view usually aligns with their generation and clashes with the others.A pleasant work environment encourages productivity. But what is ideal for some generations may not match the company culture others prefer.