Survey: Crossgenerational Interaction Rare in the Workplace

Ranstad USA has released its annual look at the workplace and, among other things, reports that the different generations in the multigenerational workforces--Gen Y, Gen X, Baby Boomers, and Matures--have different definitions of experience, sharing and no consistent way to understand what each other has to offer. In its survey of 3,494 adults, 2008 World at Work shows that 51$ of the Boomers and 66% of the older "Matures" report little to no interaction with their younger colleagues.

Among the learnings shared by Ranstad:

• The transfer of knowledge between retiring generations of veteran workers and newer entrants to the workforce is unlikely.
• Perceptions of co-workers, particularly those in Gen Y, are based largely in stereotypes.
• Each generation sees itself as bringing different strengths to the workplace that don’t enhance or expand the strengths of those older or younger.

Source: Reuters Life!"Workers of different ages don't chat enough: survey" (May 21, 2008)