Page 7 - Multigenerational Workforce

2017 Thought Leaders Solutions Forum
Engaging the Multigenerational
Workforce: Research Insights and
Best Practices
Michael S. North, Assistant Professor, Management & Organizations, Stern School of Business, New York University
Overview
Older workers are making up a larger part of the workforce than ever, a trend expected to continue in coming decades as the proportion of people over the age of 65 continues to grow. Even with these demographic trends, workplaces are experiencing issues with successfully integrating, using, and valuing older workers. Organizations are also challenged by the negative perceptions that generations have of one another, which is creating tension in the workplace.
To maximize the value of older workers—and of all workers in this multigenerational workforce—it is important to understand what older workers want and how older workers can contrib- ute, and develop strategies to adapt to an aging workforce.
Context
Michael North discussed issues workers are facing in the multigenerational workplace—especially the stereotypes against older workers—and some ways that organizations can successfully overcome these challenges.
“To overlook these longevity trends is doing society and business a tremendous
disservice, especially from a workplace and workforce standpoint.”
—Michael S. North
Key Takeaways
Older segments of the labor workforce continue to grow as the population ages.
The population is aging. Not only is there a larger proportion of people over the age of 65 than ever before, but this proportion is expected to double in the next 20 to 30 years. As a result, the older segments of the labor force are the only ones projected to grow in the coming decades.
Historically, older workers have been expected to transition out of the workforce and into retirement. Now, they are working longer than ever, which is creating tensions with younger workers who believe these aging employees should be stepping aside as they have in the past.
© 2017 SHRM Foundation. Created for the SHRM Foundation by BullsEye Resources, www.bullseyeresources.com.
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