The Intergenerational
Workplace
Presented by
Andrea McGill-O’Rourke, VP of Operations
of
Gifford Medical Center
Gifford Medical Center
•
Andrea McGill-O’Rourke, VP of Operations
ROADMAP
In this workshop participants will recognize and acknowledge generational
differences through the following:
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Mini Lecture
Individual Self Assessment
Group Feedback
Case Study
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The Intergenerational Workplace
Gifford Medical Center
•
Andrea McGill-O’Rourke, VP of Operations
WORKSHOP PERSPECTIVE
• Generational differences can lead to frustration, conflict, and poor morale.
According to a survey by Lee Hecht Harrison, more than 60% of employers are
experiencing intergenerational differences.
• However, those very differences can also lead to increased productivity - and
ultimately organizational success.
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The Intergenerational Workplace
Gifford Medical Center
•
Andrea McGill-O’Rourke, VP of Operations
WORKSHOP PERSPECTIVE CONTINUED
• Robert Tanner, author of Understanding and Managing the Four Generations in the
Workplace [2001], recommends that employers view generations as another form of
diversity.
• By understanding the strengths, limitations, and values that each generation brings
to the workplace, managers can anticipate miscommunications, avoid lost
productivity as a result of conflicts, and minimize employee turnover.
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The Intergenerational Workplace
Gifford Medical Center
•
Andrea McGill-O’Rourke, VP of Operations
DISCLAIMERS
When we speak about generations…
• We are making generalizations.
• There is overlap between generations.
• We are speaking about the middle of a bell curve.
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The Intergenerational Workplace
Gifford Medical Center
•
Andrea McGill-O’Rourke, VP of Operations
STATISTICS
Percent U.S.
Population
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Traditionalists
9%
Baby Boomers
40%
Generation X
36%
Generation Y
16%
The Intergenerational Workplace
Gifford Medical Center
•
Andrea McGill-O’Rourke, VP of Operations
INFLUENCES
• Traditional: The Depression, WWII
• Baby Boomer: Vietnam War, Civil Rights, assassinations of King and Kennedy,
Watergate, Women’s Rights, sexual revolution
• Gen X: MTV, AIDs, stagnant job market, corporate greed, high divorce and
latchkey
• Gen Y: similar influences of GenX, parental excess, computer
How do you think each of these influences shape their attitudes in the workplace?
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The Intergenerational Workplace
Gifford Medical Center
•
Andrea McGill-O’Rourke, VP of Operations
HOW AND WHERE DID KENNEDY DIE?
• Traditional/Boomers
Gunshots in Dallas
• Generation X
Plane crash near Martha’s
Vineyard
• Generation Y
Kennedy who? The “Dead”
Kennedy
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The Intergenerational Workplace
Gifford Medical Center
•
Andrea McGill-O’Rourke, VP of Operations
EACH GENERATION BRINGS
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Values
Ideas
Ways of communicating
Ways of getting things done
Attitudes toward work
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The Intergenerational Workplace
Gifford Medical Center
•
Andrea McGill-O’Rourke, VP of Operations
MULTIGENERATIONAL SELF-ASSESSMENT
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Handout #1 (Self-Assessment)
Complete the Self-Assessment.
Break into groups- discuss your answers
Handout #2 (Categories)
Where do you see similarities/differences across the generations?
Discuss you’re the findings
Return to the larger group with your smaller group’s findings
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The Intergenerational Workplace
Gifford Medical Center
•
Andrea McGill-O’Rourke, VP of Operations
SIMILARITIES
• All generations want meaningful work, purpose, making a difference… and
compensation that in line with the current marketplace.
• Workplace culture matters… the highest indicator of satisfaction is to feel
valued in your job.
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The Intergenerational Workplace
Gifford Medical Center
•
Andrea McGill-O’Rourke, VP of Operations
SIMILARITIES
• More than 70% of all employees want to be recognized and appreciated.
• Career development is a high priority and one that employees generally give
organizations low marks on.
• Flexibility is important.
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The Intergenerational Workplace
Gifford Medical Center
•
Andrea McGill-O’Rourke, VP of Operations
BENEFITS
A multigenerational team can:
• Lead to a positive work environment enhancing recruitment, retention, and
profitability
• Create increased flexibility within employee ranks
• Make decisions that are stronger because they incorporate multiple and diverse
perspectives
• Increase innovation and creativity
• Meet the needs of a diverse public
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The Intergenerational Workplace
Gifford Medical Center
•
Andrea McGill-O’Rourke, VP of Operations
MAKING THE CASE (BEST PRACTICES)
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The Intergenerational Workplace
Gifford Medical Center
•
Andrea McGill-O’Rourke, VP of Operations
THE TITANIUM RULE
• Do unto others, keeping their preferences in mind.
• Meet your clients where they are, regardless of their age.
• When communicating with an employee of another generation, it’s a matter
of recognizing different preferences and interests and adapting to the other
person's preferences instead of sticking with one’s own style.
• Example: A Traditionalist may want a hand written letter
• A Gen Y might send an email
• Can you think of other examples?
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The Intergenerational Workplace
Gifford Medical Center
•
Andrea McGill-O’Rourke, VP of Operations
SOME EXAMPLES OF USING THE TITANIUM RULE
GENERATIONALLY
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The Intergenerational Workplace
Gifford Medical Center
•
Andrea McGill-O’Rourke, VP of Operations
TRADITIONALISTS
• Respectful tone and words, no slang or profanity, language more formal and
professional.
• Messages should relate to company history and long-term goals.
• Let them know that you value their experience and loyalty to the organization, spend
adequate time in orientation and training activities (including the use of technology),
and respect common norms of courteous behavior.
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The Intergenerational Workplace
Gifford Medical Center
•
Andrea McGill-O’Rourke, VP of Operations
BOOMERS
• Relational, perhaps over coffee or lunch. Mutual interests, participative (e.g.
eliciting input).
• Link message to the team.
• Show them how they can be an organizational star, provide them with training and
developmental opportunities, and involve them in operational matters.
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The Intergenerational Workplace
Gifford Medical Center
•
Andrea McGill-O’Rourke, VP of Operations
GENERATION X
• Be direct straightforward.
• Don’t waste their time.
• State clearly what you want and how it will serve them with a specific
timeframe.
• Partner them with mentors (ideally Boomers) whom they can respect.
• Do not expect them to give up their life for the job.
• Promote work/life balance.
• Refrain from giving them too much extended hands-on supervision.
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The Intergenerational Workplace
Gifford Medical Center
•
Andrea McGill-O’Rourke, VP of Operations
GENERATION Y
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Be positive.
Tie goals to personal and team goals.
Do not be condescending, avoiding cynicism and sarcasm.
Capitalize on their technological skills
Provide them with structure, allow them to work in a collaborative manner
Be generous with training and orientation activities
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The Intergenerational Workplace
Gifford Medical Center
•
Andrea McGill-O’Rourke, VP of Operations
RETENTION
• Treat all employees with respect. But recognize that what it means
to treat people respectfully differs across generations.
• Initiate conversations about generations by getting issues out in the open.
• Ask people about their needs and preferences and remember to tie them
into their values.
• Don’t project your preferences onto others.
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The Intergenerational Workplace
Gifford Medical Center
•
Andrea McGill-O’Rourke, VP of Operations
RETENTION
• Offer options related to benefits, scheduling, and training opportunities.
• Personalize your style.
• Be flexible and creative in how you meet the preferences and expectations
of intergenerational employees.
• Build on the strengths of each generations e.g. wisdom and a fresh set of
eyes.
• Choose mixed generation work teams to work together.
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The Intergenerational Workplace
Gifford Medical Center
•
Andrea McGill-O’Rourke, VP of Operations
RETENTION
• Learn from each other. Each generation has valuable lessons to teach the
next.
• Example - Your company has a new software program for a piece of
equipment:
- A Boomer or Traditionalist employee could conduct the orientation program on
the company’s history that provides a sense of the organization’s mission.
- A Gen X employee could train the staff on how to use it.
- A Gen Y employee could present the project.
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The Intergenerational Workplace
Gifford Medical Center
•
Andrea McGill-O’Rourke, VP of Operations
STUDIES
SHOW…
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The Intergenerational Workplace
Gifford Medical Center
•
Andrea McGill-O’Rourke, VP of Operations
TRADITIONALISTS
• Loyal employees who often dedicate their lives to one organization
• Respectful and supportive of organizational hierarchy
• Strong work ethic
• Like structure, accept authority, and will work until the job gets done
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The Intergenerational Workplace
Gifford Medical Center
•
Andrea McGill-O’Rourke, VP of Operations
BOOMERS
• Highly optimistic employees who want to excel in their careers
• Strong work ethic
• Accepting of authority figures in the workplace
• Results driven
• Loyal to the organization
• Believe that knowledge is power
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The Intergenerational Workplace
Gifford Medical Center
•
Andrea McGill-O’Rourke, VP of Operations
GENERATION X
• Technologically savvy
• Like informality
• Lean quickly
• Believe work-life balance is very important
• Embrace a diverse workplace
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The Intergenerational Workplace
Gifford Medical Center
•
Andrea McGill-O’Rourke, VP of Operations
GENERATION Y
• Very technologically savvy
• Value teamwork and personal connection
• Focused on work-life balance
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The Intergenerational Workplace
Gifford Medical Center
•
Andrea McGill-O’Rourke, VP of Operations
GENERATION Y
• Exceptional multi-taskers who desire a lot of communication and feedback
• Embrace diversity and value career mobility
• Don’t see anything wrong with hopping from job to job
• Life satisfaction is key, and jobs are disposable to them
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The Intergenerational Workplace
Gifford Medical Center
•
Andrea McGill-O’Rourke, VP of Operations
CASE STUDY
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Break into groups
Read the case
Offer suggestions for dealing with the case
Put on flip chart
Rejoin the larger group
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The Intergenerational Workplace
Gifford Medical Center
•
Andrea McGill-O’Rourke, VP of Operations
DO YOU VALUE MULTIPLE GENERATIONS IN THE
WORKPLACE?
• Take the test and find out
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The Intergenerational Workplace
Gifford Medical Center
•
Andrea McGill-O’Rourke, VP of Operations
QUESTIONS?
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The Intergenerational Workplace