In the recent past, the current workplace has been increasingly confronted with the problem of generational difference among the workforce (Wendover 2). For instance, the difference in the mindset between the baby boomers and the millenials have caused a lot of friction in the workforce since each generation has varied worldview on work, and the nature of the working conditions (Eastman 17). The antagonism between the two generations calls for a need for managers to develop various engagement strategies that ensure that the needs of the baby boomers who are more experienced and those of the millenials who needs freedom, flexible working conditions and a technologically enhance working environment are catered guaranteed.
Despite the fact that generational diversity among the employees is critical in bringing on board a wider range of talent and experiences, the differences in the mindset of the two warring generations can work to the disadvantage of the organization. Managers have to develop strategies that promote unity in diversity so as to enhance the competitive of the organization. Also, Eastman argues that managers have to create working conditions that embrace tolerance, so as to transform the workplace from generational war environment to a productive team and an age-diverse workforce (17).Tolerance as a Christian strategy will encourage the employees to accommodate the views of others. Since the Boomers and Millenials have different views about work, tolerance will give an opportunity to the employees to not only accommodate, but also learn and appreciate the diverse thinking in the workplace.
Teamwork is one of the strategies that motivate the Millenials to achieve most as compared to baby boomers that rely on an individual’s hard work and brilliance. Since the millennial is always surrounded by numerous opportunities owing to the advent of technology. This type of workforce tends to change jobs easily in pursuit of opportunities that give them more freedom and satisfaction (Wendover 40).
Managers have to come up with Christian strategies like collaboration among the millenials and the boomers who value individual hard work. Christian values advocate for sharing and cooperation among people in the society. The manager can help in enhancing teamwork and the sharing of ideas among the baby boomers and the millenials through team building. This approach allows the employees from the two generations divide to participate in sporting activities outside the normal office environment; an act that can help in enhancing cohesion among the employees. This will also ensure that needs of the millennial are satisfied so as to reduce turnover rates.
Christianity advocates for the treatment of every individual with dignity and respect regardless of the age, gender, or ethnicity since we are all created in the image of God. A manager that recognizes the need to integrate all employees at the workplace is likely to develop engagement strategies whereby both the baby boomers and the millenials are given equal treatment. Both the baby boomers and the millenials should be given an equal opportunity of expressing their ideas on issues that affect them.
Zemke et al. further opines that both the millenials and the baby boomers should be given an equal opportunity to undergo training on the current trends and dynamics in the workplace. This will help them understand and appreciate the generational issues that confront today’s workforce and how to deal with the issues so as to enhance diversity in an organization (32). Additionally, Christianity advocates for both spiritual and personal development of individuals so as to improve their living conditions. Training is a form of professional development which allows employees to get exposed to the new market dynamics. Both the baby boomers and the millenials should undergo training to enhance their efficiency at work. Furthermore, training will allow the baby boomers to acquaint themselves with the new workforce strategies while the millenials will learn how to cope up with the needs of the baby boomers.
The managers can also exercise tolerance and accommodation of individual needs of all employees across the generation divide as long as the needs do not hinder the accomplishment of the organizational needs. Both millenials and baby boomers are at different stages of life. A fact that may call for the rescheduling of the organization's activities so as to accommodate the varied needs of the workforce without making a section of the employees feeling alienated. Primarily, baby boomers always think about retirement and may even prefer to cut the working hours for lower pay. On the other hand, millenials need flexible working schedules so as to attend to other individual and family matters and makeup to the lost time at a later date (Wendover 22).
Moreover, honesty is another essential Christian strategy that managers can employ to help in accommodating the needs of baby boomers and the millenials. All employees, regardless of their tenure or age should be given a chance to express their views openly. The management has a responsibility of giving all the employees honest feedback regarding the issues that are raised in the workplace. The organization can also promote collaboration between the baby boomers and the millenials so as to enhance good working relations that can boost the output.
Works Cited
Eastman, Mervyn. "Baby Boomers and the Big Society20131Wally Harbert. Baby Boomers and the Big Society. Grosvenor House Publishing Ltd, 2012." Working with Older People 17.1 (2013): 41-42. Print.
Wendover, Robert W. Generations: Understanding Age Diversity Generations in Today's Workplace. Aurora N.p., n.d. Print.
Zemke, Ron, Claire Raines, and Bob Filipczak. Generations at Work: Managing the Clash of Boomers, Gen Xers, and Gen Yers in the Workplace. New York: American Management Assn., 2013. Print.
