The New Age of Working: Getting the Most from Your Multigenerational Workforce

The Multigenerational Workplace: Create an Inclusive Environment for All Employees

The multigenerational workplace isn’t new, and neither is the friction between older and younger people. Surveys conducted by Deloitte and LiveCareer found that only 6% of respondents believe that their leaders are well equipped to deal with the multigenerational workforce; 40% say they prefer working with colleagues around their same age; and 81% of respondents find it difficult to have someone younger than themselves as their supervisor or manager. 

While common, these age-related biases interfere with productivity, employee engagement, and long-term sustainable success. In the modern workplace, employees from four generations might work side-by-side. And, due to demographic changes and continued demand for talented workers, multigenerational teams will only become more prevalent in the next five to 10 years. By 2030, retiring boomers will make way for millennials and Gen Zers, who together are expected to make up the majority of the global workforce. However, the sheer size of the baby boomer generation means older people will continue working into their 70s or beyond. In some high-income countries, like Japan and Germany, older workers will fill more than a quarter of the available jobs.

To attract and retain the most talented workers, companies must take advantage of the unique assets of every individual and create a welcoming workplace where everyone can thrive, no matter their age.