Every workplace is unique. A positive work environment directly results from a unified and cohesive workforce. Each person you work with has a set of skills and knowledge base that allows them to contribute to the group. Seasoned employees have years of experience, while younger college graduates bring new technology and innovative ideas.

If there is a large age difference between employees, generational differences can sometimes put them at odds. As an employer, you can take steps to prevent that from occurring. Helping your employees build strong relations is the best way to keep morale high and productivity at maximum capacity. They can use their shared knowledge to create a happy, well-functioning workplace by working together.

Embrace Each Other’s Differences

The first step in building positive work relationships is to encourage employees to embrace each others’ differences. Generational differences go beyond education. Older employees who have been doing their job for many years have the benefit of experience. Experience is valuable because it is learning by doing. It’s problem-solving at its best. It is something you can’t learn in a classroom.

A new hire fresh out of college may think they have all the answers. That may be true in many situations. The majority of the time, both generations have something to offer. When you combine experience with technology, you can solve most issues. There will also be times when having someone around who knows how to troubleshoot problems the old-fashioned way without all the fancy techno gadgets can be a godsend. 

Encourage Teamwork

Teamwork is the foundation of a productive workplace. Generational differences don’t have to divide your employees. By encouraging your employees to get to know one another, they may actually be able to learn something new. A great way to encourage teamwork is to offer educational opportunities that all your employees can benefit from. It may be the nudge they need to ask questions and open the lines of communication.

Communication is key. Asking questions and sharing ideas gives your employees a chance to support and help one another when it comes to solving difficult problems. Nothing bridges the generation gap better than one employee knowing they have the support of everyone on their team. It’s important to keep the lines of communication open even if there is a disagreement. Working through the problem together is a great way to establish common ground.

Offer Learning Opportunities

Offering learning opportunities to your employees has many benefits. They give employees a chance to enhance their existing skills as well as increase their value to the company. Give them the tools they need to succeed and they will exceed your expectations. Generational differences between employees begin to disappear when everyone receives the same training and educational tools.

The new classes become a bridge that unites both generations. Each generation can offer their own point of view and discuss ideas on how to improve productivity and the operations of the business. Classes that promote workforce development tie together the benefits of both knowledge and experience and what each generation brings to the table.  

Embrace New Technology

Innovative technological advancements are introduced on a daily basis. Adapting to change can be difficult for older employees. Having a tech-savvy employee show them the ropes will make it easier for them to adapt to the new technology, such as apps, tax software, design, and more to expand their skill set. Being able to use new technology effectively, may allow an older employee to move up through the ranks to management or apply for a different position.

Many older employees will jump at the chance to learn about new technology if they think it will make them competitive in the workplace. Pairing a younger, tech-oriented employee with an older employee with many years of experience brings together the best of both worlds. New technology is here to stay but nothing can replace hard-earned experience. There may be a time when modern troubleshooting doesn’t work. Having the right problem-solving skills is a must. 

Celebrate Success as a Group

It’s normal to have employees who work together as teams in each department. Individual teams have their own projects to complete and may only work with others when collaboration is needed. A team can have several generations working on the same project. Sharing ideas and working together are great ways to establish solid relationships, especially when there is a successful outcome.

Reaching a goal or milestone takes time and effort from every member of the team. Celebrate your success as a group. Let everyone in the company share your achievements. What one team does has an impact, good or bad, on every employee in the company. Let them celebrate with you when the occasion calls for it. It will boost morale and motivate everyone to do their best work.

Encourage Flexibility and Growth

Encourage employees of all ages to do whatever they can to explore new opportunities. Offer classes in-house or create a tuition reimbursement program for employees who want to return to school to earn their degrees. You may be surprised at how many older employees will jump at the chance to improve themselves and advance their careers. It’s never too late to shoot for the stars.

There will be times when, for true growth to occur, the employee may need to venture outside of their comfort zone. Flexibility allows the employee to follow new paths and try new jobs they may never have thought they were capable of doing. It will open doors that could eventually put them on track for a supervisory or management position. With more employees working past retirement age, flexibility and growth will allow them to make the most of their careers.

Generational differences don’t have to be an issue in the workplace. They are easy to overcome if the right tools are used. Part of having harmony in the workplace involves making sure every employee feels valued for what they bring to the table. Old or young, expert or novice, what a person contributes is important to the health and well-being of the company as a whole.

Look at your employees. Include them in the process. Let them know you value each one and are willing to do whatever is needed for them to reach their individual goals. By working together, your employees can push your company to reach any goal you set for the future.

Ashley Nielsen

Ashley Nielsen earned a B.S. degree in Business Administration Marketing at Point Loma Nazarene University. She is a freelance writer who loves to share knowledge about general business, marketing, lifestyle, wellness, and financial tips. During her free time, she enjoys being outside, staying active, reading a book, or diving deep into her favorite music.