When it comes to the workplace, Baby Boomers, Generation X and Generation Y populations may be more similar than previously thought, according to a Conference Board of Canada study released earlier this month.
The study, entitled Winning the Generation Wars: Making the Most of Generational Differences and Similarities in the Workplace, suggests ways to beat negative and inaccurate stereotypes that can dominate the office environment and hinder team performance.
"This research shows each generation includes workers with similar personality types, workplace motivations, and social behaviours. Workers from all three generations want respect, flexibility, fairness, and the opportunity to do interesting and rewarding work," Tim Krywulak, senior research associate on the study, said.
According to the Conference Board of Canada, common negative stereotypes of the three generations include:
* Boomers as less comfortable with technology, less open to change, and less accepting of diversity
* Generation X workers as cynical, independent, and easily annoyed at the thought of being micro-managed
* Generation Y workers as lazy, difficult to manage, and with little loyalty to organizations
"Employers need to be aware of these stereotypes, as each can have a negative impact on workplace performance," said Krywulak.
The idea that Boomers are less open to change can make junior staff more reluctant to bring forward new ideas, Krywulak pointed out. Likewise, assumptions regarding the purported cynicism of Gen-Xers or the supposed laziness of Gen-Yers can lead to added friction in the workplace.
The report recommends these strategies to improve the situation for employers:
* Implement programs, policies and practices that respond to the cross-generational desires for respect, flexibility and fairness in the workplace
* Build a culture of inclusion to address the negative stereotypes about the generations in the workplace
* Learn from effective practices used by other organizations
