Tip Sheets

Bridging the Generation Gap at Work

If you look around your workplace, chances are you’ll see people of many different ages representing several generations.

Sometimes when co-workers have trouble getting along, the gaps or differences between their generations may be contributing to the problem. See if you can spot the generation gaps in the following stories:

The people in these stories represent the four distinct generations that make up today’s Canadian workforce—Matt is a Generation Xer, Ted is a Veteran, Deb is a Baby Boomer and Brianna is a Millennial. Each generation has been shaped by a different set of experiences and, as a result, has a certain set of values. One generation may not understand why another’s values seem to be so different.

Whether you’re young or old, it’s worth making the effort to understand your co-workers. Figuring out which generation you belong to is a good place to start.

Look at the following table to see where you fit in. How many of the descriptions ring true for you and for your co-workers of different ages? Keep in mind that every description may not apply to each individual.

Who are you?

Looking at the gaps

How do the differences between generations show up in the workplace? Look at the examples below.

Hours of work
Each generation tends to have a different approach to hours of work:

		If you’re a Veteran, you turn up when the boss says you should and work until the project is finished.
		If you’re a Boomer, you tend to work all the time. You come in early and stay late.
		If you’re a Gen Xer, you work hard to complete projects but when you’re not needed, you want to be free to pursue your life outside of work.
		If you’re a Millennial, you see your job as something you do between weekends or between your other jobs.

Recognition and rewards
Each generation tends to value different kinds of recognition and rewards:

		If you’re a Veteran, you tend to prefer security, pensions and bonuses and recognition for a job well done.
		If you’re a Boomer, chances are you prefer promotion and increased income.
		If you’re a Gen Xer, you tend to prefer time off rather than a bonus.
		If you’re a Millennial, you’re confident about your own abilities, value visibility and close interaction with leaders in the organization. You’d like to work on a top-level team doing a project you believe in.

Given these differences, it’s not surprising that Veterans and Boomers might resent or mistrust Gen Xers and Millennials who flex their hours or seem to be away from the workplace a lot. On the other hand, Gen Xers and Millennials may find their Veteran and Boomer co-workers to be inflexible, “married” to their jobs and unwilling to ask for what they need.

The gaps aren’t just between the older and younger generations—Gen Xers may find Millennials’ high expectations of meaningful work and strong desire to work closely with an organization’s leaders unrealistic. And Millennials may mistake Gen Xers’ casual attitude toward authority as disrespect for the leadership Millennials value.

Closing the gaps

Use the following suggestions to help you get along with co-workers of different generations:

	Be self aware.
	Think about how people of different generations may view your behaviour and pay attention to your own beliefs and values. For example, Boomers have had to work many long, hard hours in order to stand out among the huge numbers of their generation in the workforce. Gen Xers and Millennials may think that Boomers don’t care about life outside of work because they are focusing on the Boomers’ behaviour rather than the forces that shaped it. On the other hand, Gen Xers entered the workforce during a time when organizations were downsizing and restructuring. They’ve learned to rely on themselves and to place a high value on their life outside of work. Veterans and Boomers who kept their jobs during the restructuring handled the situation by working harder. To them, Gen Xers may appear too focused on the “life” side of the work-life balance.
	Keep an open mind.
	Challenge your assumptions. For example, the Veteran who wears a business suit and seems uncomfortable with technology may be highly creative. The Gen Xer who leaves early and files reports from home may not be out partying all night but may be sharing child care with a spouse.
	Focus on the goal.
	If everyone on the team does their share, it may not matter whether Veterans work at their desks during office hours, whether Boomers work after hours, whether Gen Xers work at home on the weekend or whether Millennials work on laptops in cafés between jobs.
	Value diversity.
	Accept each generation’s different experiences and perspectives. Veterans and Boomers have the kind of experience that comes from years in the workforce—when it comes to the ups and downs of working life, they really have seen it all. Gen Xers and Millennials can benefit from their experience. Gen Xers have developed the skills to be independent and self-directed. Millennials learned their teamwork skills in day care. Both have grown up working and playing with technology: cell phones with cameras, text messaging, wireless connections from hand-held computers to company networks. Millennials and Gen Xers use all available technology effortlessly to work at any time, from anywhere. What may sometimes look like youthful arrogance is more likely competence and confidence—Veterans and Boomers can benefit by recognizing the difference.
	Support and learn from each other.
	Co-workers from each generation have much to offer each other. For example, Gen Xers and Millennials can share their technology skills with Boomers and Veterans. The older generations can mentor the younger. Each generation has something to learn from:

			Veterans’ perspectives on loyalty
			Boomers’ dedication to the goal
			Gen Xers’ skills at achieving work-life balance
			Millennials’ comfort with diversity

	Discover common interests.
	Sports, hobbies, films, favourite TV shows, volunteering—people from different generations may share more interests than they realize. What starts out as small talk in the coffee room may develop into an appreciation for a different point of view or a chance to explore a new skill.

Veterans, Boomers, Gen Xers and Millennials all bring a wide range of skills, outlooks and experiences to the workplace. When generations recognize and respect their differences, they stay open to the opportunity to learn from each other.

Other Relevant Tips Work Values For more, visit the TIPS home page at alis.alberta.ca/tips

Additional Reading Let’s Talk: A guide to resolving workplace conflicts and Positive Works II produced by Alberta Employment and Immigration. For copies of these publications:

		download an online copy or order the publication from the Publications website at alis.alberta.ca/careershop
		call the Alberta Career Information Hotline at 1-800-661-3753 toll-free or 780-422-4266 in Edmonton
		visit your local Alberta Employment and Immigration service centre. To find the centre nearest you, call the Alberta Career Information Hotline.

Last Updated: June 16, 2006