Four generations in the workplace: new reality for employers comes with challenges

Edmonton workplaces adapting operations to a multi-generational workforce say they are seeing the benefits.

Companies increasingly find themselves with four generations of employees under the same roof … or virtual roof: generation Z, millennials, generation X and baby boomers.

Statistics Canada says gen-Zers are those born between 1997 and 2012; millennials are those born between 1981 and 1996; gen-Xers are those born between 1966 and 1980; and boomers are those born between 1946 and 1965.

The age range in an employment space can be decades wide, and workers in these generations come with unique preferences and expectations, from office etiquette to flexibility around schedules and working from home.

WATCH | How a multi-generational workplace works

According to local businesses CBC spoke to, it's worth it.

"It helps [companies] know how to attract talent to their organization," said Evangeline Berube, an Edmonton-based associate director with talent firm Robert Half Management Resources.

"Understanding what each generation really would look for will help you attract talent. Then it will also help you retain the talent."

For instance, Berube said, millennials with young families are most likely to want to continue working from home if they did that during the pandemic. Baby boomers, on the other hand, tend to accept the five-day office week they grew up with.

While bridging those gaps, businesses are also identifying the strengths of each generation for mentoring opportunities.  Baby boomers tend to have a lot of industry experience and familiarity with face-to-face communication, while gen-Zers and millennials grew up with technology.

Accommodating a multigenerational staff comes with its challenges, but they can be navigated, Berube said. 

"Having an awareness that there are differences and being able to communicate through that and find common ground between the generations will just make it work better for all employees."

As founder and CEO of the public relations agency pipikwan pêhtâkwan, Shani Gwin supervises employees ranging in age from 20 to older than 60.

A multigenerational staff enhances creativity and inspiration while helping to reflect the four stages of life recognized in Indigenous culture, Gwin said.