Understanding Generation Gap and Its Importance in the Workplace

With Generation Z or Gen Z (born between 1997 – 2012) taking over the workplace, the dynamic of a ‘team’ is naturally going to change. Now, imagine a team with both Boomers and Gen Zers on your team, as a manager, you have to deal with different working styles, etiquette, and more.

In order to cater to different groups and people, it’s important for companies and managers to find a way to navigate through the changing demographics of their workforce.

In this Pacific Prime Dubai article, we will examine what a generation gap is and how a business or an organization can balance the needs of people from different age groups.

What is Generation Gap in the Workplace?

As the new generation enters the workforce, they bring in a new-age work style and attitude. This attitude is likely to be very different from that of your existing team members, who are likely to be millennials (born between 1981-1996) or Gen Xers (born between 1965-1980). The different beliefs and working styles create a gap between the members, and this gap is referred to as the generation gap.

The term ‘generation gap’ was coined in the 1960s when baby boomers (born between 1946 and 1964) grew up with different beliefs and opinions from their parents. Although it is not easy to deal with a team that has a very obvious generation gap, as a manager you need to set clear goals and cultural values. For example, you could emphasize the outcome of the work rather than how it is done.

The Different Generations in the Workforce in 2023

In 2023, these four generations are likely to be working together – Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z. Note that the three generations have experienced some of the global life-changing events in their own way, such as the great recession, the digital revolution, and the COVID-19 pandemic. This could also mean that their working styles, paces, approaches, and priorities will be very different. Here’s a closer look at these generations:

Baby Boomers

If there are baby boomers in your office, they are most likely to be in the more senior positions, as they will be in their late 50s in 2023. This generation has witnessed social and economic changes and has been brought up with values such as hard work, and they also believe in the idea of visibility in the workplace.

Gen X

This is a generation that values work-life balance, is very resourceful, and likes to work independently. Early GenXers may share similar values with Baby Boomers as they were born in the 1960s, and late GenXers may have more in common with millennials. In addition, Gen X is the generation of professionals who are helping to shape today’s workforce.

Millennials

Millennials are the ones who grew up with gadgets and technology, they had their mobile phones and laptops growing up and witnessed the rise of the internet. In fact, Millennials are the ones bridging the gap between Generation X (born before the Internet) and Generation Z (born after the Internet).

Gen Z

Gen Z was born into the Internet, and for them, the Internet and Wi-Fi are more of a need than a want. Gen Zers are also radical thinkers, ethically diverse, and have strong morals and belief systems. In addition, Gen Z is progressive and cares about the bigger things in life such as climate change, gender equality, and more.

How to Embrace Generational Diversity?

Organizations need to start celebrating the value of diversity in the workforce, rather than seeing generational diversity as a challenge or a gap between team members. An age-diverse team is likely to be more efficient and creative.

Age-diverse teams can also lead to better on-the-job learning, as seniors can pass on their knowledge and experience to juniors. On the other hand, juniors can show different ways in which technology can help save time and effort. According to a McKinsey report, 43% of companies with diverse management teams report higher profits.

So as a business leader, you can start by structuring your teams with more age-diverse candidates and help them work together on different projects. Note that working with people of different ages may be challenging at first, but it will get easier over time.

About Pacific Prime Dubai

While embracing the generation gap is one way to inspire your team and improve your retention rate, another way to keep your employees happy is with a great employee benefits plan. Pacific Prime can help you create a bespoke employee benefits plan based on your needs and budget. With over 20 years of experience in the insurance industry, Pacific Prime has helped hundreds of companies with their corporate insurance needs.

Get in touch with Pacific Prime’s insurance experts today for a FREE quote!