How to manage a multigenerational workforce

Generation Z is set to be the biggest generation of all time, at over two billion individuals worldwide.

Known as the first true digital natives, this generation is comfortable with technology. They grew up in a recession and witnessed a growing income gap which has led to their ultimate aspiration of being secure and stable.

Their current workplace health needs are centred around providing support to stay fit and healthy, debt worries and pressure to work in a meaningful job, mental health issues and online bullying.

Due to the lack of relevant work after graduation, along with the recession, many Millennials are uninterested in the typical 9-5 job and expect flexibility.

Research suggests that a significant generational disconnect exists between Millennials and their older colleagues, which has the potential to cause communication and retention issues.

57% of the Millennial workforce expect to move job within two years, while 40% will move within one year.

The current workplace health needs of Millennials are generally centred around weight management, sleep deprivation, recreational drug use, stress and depression and financial strain.

Born during the time of shifting societal values, Generation X is often referred to as the “forgotten middle child” in the workplace.

Although generally seen as hungry and hardworking, this generation is sandwiched between the retirement needs of Baby Boomers and tech-savvy Millennials so their expertise can easily go undervalued.

Although more proactive about their health than generations before, Generation X still has several health needs centred around alcohol dependency, early onset menopause, mental health strains due to caring for young children and elderly parents, and financial worries due to mortgages, school fees and childcare costs. Our research said this generation were likely to take the most sick days on average each year.

Born in a time of widespread government subsidies, the Baby Boomer generation had free education and more affordable housing. They enjoyed peak levels of income as well as enjoying the benefits of abundant food, clothing and good pension pots.

This generation rates their work-life balance as much poorer than younger generations. Almost half (49%) of Baby Boomers believe their work-life balance is between average and very poor

Their current workplace health needs are, in general, centred around obesity and lack of physical exercise, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular disease, depression and anxiety, menopause, prostate cancer and the emotional impacts of bereavement and retirement.

Born against the backdrop of the Great Depression and the Second World War, the Silent Generation has a strong work ethic and are typically loyal to their employer.

They typically experienced prosperous adulthoods, with high employment rates, good health, generally excellent pension packages and early retirement.

Workplace health needs are centred around musculoskeletal and heart conditions, poor sleep quality, visual and hearing impairments, social isolation and loneliness as well as financial concerns where they experience smaller-than-expected pension pots. Our research said that beyond financial remuneration, this generation see keeping active as the biggest benefit of being in work.