BC Council for Families

Recognize these stereotypes? Boomers aren’t open to change, they’re scared of technology, and they plan never to retire. Gen X’ers are cynical. Gen Y’ers are lazy and won’t stay at one job long enough to develop loyalty to the organization.

Can these three generations ever get along in the workplace? While intergenerational conflict at work may appear to be mounting, according to a new survey from The Conference Board of Canada all three generations actually have similar goals. “Winning the “Generation Wars”: Making the Most of Generational Differences and Similarities in the Workplace” points out that workers across generations want respect, fair compensation, interesting and challenging work, trustworthy leaders and managers, and to be consulted on matters affecting them.

Strategies employers can use to counter workplace problems caused by generational divisions include:

• Building “cultures of inclusion” where employees feel comfortable regardless of age, gender, or thinking style.
• Human resources solutions such as intergenerational mentorship programs, flexible work hours and career guidance.

How workers within an organization see one another and themselves can have a major impact on organizational effectiveness. Positive perceptions can promote workplace cohesion, teamwork, innovation, and performance, just as negative views can hinder them.

The survey report can be downloaded for free through the Conference Board of Canada’s website by creating an account and logging on.