With Gen Z now prominent figures in the workforce, companies now have employees spanning several generations. But with different generations may also come different working styles, especially when you consider how Gen Z came into the workforce during the height of COVID-19. There are also stereotypes to be mindful of, says Gerald Margolis, Managing Director at Philip Morris International and a co-founder of advantAGE, an age-diverse employee resource group striving to improve intergenerational understanding within the organization. “That’s where the idea of the ERG comes from,” Margolis says. “There are a lot of stereotypes on all sides of ageism and one of the key things that we’re trying to do is address those stereotypes, put those away, and then talk about the positive aspects of intergenerational working.”
Tackling the generational divide has positive impacts on the company, and also on employees. There are things both generations can learn from each other and having a common cause or common passion is a great place to start. “The ERG originally started with a mission to focus on issues faced by more experienced or older employees,” says Margolis. “We went back and forth between whether or not it should be opened up to be more cross-generational, and I think the final tipping point for us was seeing how many younger generations applied to be part of the leadership team and their passion for this topic.” So far, that has been the biggest thing Margolis has learned since starting the ERG. There is a passion and a desire to learn more about this – from all sides – and while the ERG just officially kicked off in June, it is already widely felt that being able to provide resources, perspective, and a place for dialogue is going to provide significant benefits to Margolis and other employees. But what else can newer and older generations learn from each other? Read below to learn about the benefits of cross-generational collaboration in the workplace.
Communication
Social media technically launched in the late 90s. Since then, it has taken on a life of its own in many shapes and forms. Margolis believes there is a misconception that all Gen Z workers are overly obsessed with their technology. Conversely, for some, it can be difficult to keep up with the latest social trends. However, because so much of Gen Z’s life has been spent online, they are the perfect people to provide guidance on how to navigate this ever-changing landscape.
Diversity and Inclusion
Between May and September 2020, the number of DEI-related job postings increased by 123 percent, according to Harvard. With DEI being relatively new to the workplace, younger employees may be able to pioneer new workplace revolutions such as employee groups. Gen Z is also the most racially diverse. So, with their help, they can make workplace culture meet the expectations of what the world currently looks like.
Trying New Things — & Appreciating the Old
Some may say that older generations are resistant to trying new things, but like all generations, we are forced to adapt to a changing society, and with that comes exposure to a new order of doing things. Both older and younger generations can learn from each other with younger generations sharing alternative approaches to new ideas and more experienced generations encouraging an appreciation for the old.
Career Development
Perhaps the most valuable lesson veteran employees can instill in their younger counterparts is that of building confidence and helping them navigate and grow their careers. Mentorship is highly successful when it comes to career development, so if you have been in the workforce for a while, ensure that you are helping younger employees develop the skills that will help lead them to long-term success. This is particularly true in “hybrid” workplaces where newer employees do not have as many organic opportunities for developing strong workplace relationships.
This article was created by BlogHer for Philip Morris International.