Embracing The World’s Multigenerational Workforce
TODAY'S WORKFORCE IS IDEALLY MULTIGENERATIONAL, yet many companies, hiring managers and HR functions continue to use age labels to recruit, retain, and guide work practices and policies. According to an OECD report, Age-Inclusive Workforce: Living Learning and Earning Longer, published December 2020, "novel evidence across OECD countries shows that older workers can boost firm productivity not only through their own experience and know-how, but also by enhancing team performance via age and skill complementarities between younger and older workers." The report further says that "there is compelling evidence that employers who respond positively to the changing individual needs of employees during their lifecycle and career stages improve their success in attracting, motivating and retaining workers. These workers are likely in turn to exert greater effort on behalf of their company and play a full part in making it efficient and productive."
Multigenerational workforce is a reality in the workplace in every part of the globe.
The five generations in the current workplace are the traditionalists, baby boomers, Generation X, millennials and Generation Z. Their talents, experience, knowledge and skills are a fusion of the best workforce synergy an organization can ever hope for. In the American Association of Retired Persons' (AARP) Global Insights on the Multigenerational Workforce published in August 2020, it says, "Helping global employers adapt their workplace practices to capitalize on the impact of an aging population is imperative if we are to respond to employers’ needs and unlock this future workforce potential. Doing so will help us build stronger communities and enable people of all ages to live happier, healthier, and more fulfilling lives."
Multigenerational workforce is a reality that leaders must learn to embrace because it is here to stay. If you are a leader who needs an inspiration to the kind of synergy multigenerational talents are capable of achieving, find one in this shared video of Leonid and Friends - amazing Russian musicians and vocalists from different generations who achieved an outstanding performance by working together and combining their talents and strengths which, by the way, include their divergent age groups.
