Though the pandemic changed a lot of things, the one thing that likely hasn’t changed is the number of generations in the workplace. For possibly the first time in history, five generations are in the workforce.

With so many generations working together, some intergenerational conflict seems inevitable. However, there’s one thing companies can do to help bridge the gap: offer flexible work options.

Who’s Who

Here’s how the generations break down:

• Traditionalists: AKA the silent generation, born between 1928 and 1945
• Baby boomers: born between 1946 and 1964
• Generation X: born between 1965 and 1980
• Millennials: AKA Gen Y, born between 1981 and 1996
• Generation Z: born between 1997 and 2012

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That means (theoretically) you could have employees as young as 18 and as old as 97. And while you probably don’t have all five generations at your workplace, you likely have at least three, if not four, which could mean a 40-year age gap among employees.

Why Workers Want Flexible Work

The desire for flexible work isn’t new. A MetLife survey from 2020 found that 37% of all workers ranked flexible work as one of the more important things they wanted from a job. The same survey found that by 2022, that number had jumped 18% to 55% of all workers!

The report also found that overall job satisfaction fell. In 2019, 74% of people were satisfied with their job. While that number edged slightly down in 2021 to 72%, by 2022, that number had fallen again to 66%.

What could have improved job satisfaction? Remote hours and flexible work. The 2022 results found that 55% of people consider whether or not a job is remote before accepting an offer, while 59% said they’d stay at their current job if their employer offered flexible hours. What’s more, 64% of employers recognize that flexible work will be a top trend over the next 10 years!

The MetLife study didn’t differentiate among generations, meaning that all generations consider flexible work important. However, in addition to having different views on work, the different generations might want flexible work for varying reasons.

Baby Boomers

Though baby boomers are more traditional in how they work (you need to be in the office to work, pick up the phone and call), they want and need flexible work. Some want to slow down but aren’t quite ready for retirement, and a flexible job is the perfect “between” step for them. Others may be caring for an aging parent or two, or even a spouse, and need time to attend to family demands without a loss of income or job.

Generation X

Generation X pioneered new ways of working and helped create the shift to remote work. They’re comfortable communicating via email and don’t mind working someplace other than the office.

But Gen X is stuck in the middle these days. While they are moving into more senior roles as baby boomers retire, they are currently the “middle generation.” They may have children that may not be fully independent, as well as aging family members that need assistance.

Millennials

Many millennials entered the workforce during the Great Recession and its aftermath. Their work choices have been shaped by this event, and while they value stability, they also place a premium on flexibility.

This may be because they grew up with the internet. They’re used to being connected 24/7/365 and don’t mind answering texts and emails outside of the workday. While they want and need boundaries between work and home, they also want the ability to work when and where it’s most convenient for them.

Generation Z

For many Generation Zers, workplace flexibility may be the number one benefit they want. They believe in work-life balance, and that work should never be the number one priority in their life.

They’re also used to asynchronous communication. Much of their communication is via texts, and they live a lot of their life online. That said, in the wake of the pandemic, they value face-to-face interactions but want the freedom to come into the office when they want and work remotely when they can.

How Flexible Work Policies Bridge Generation Gaps

While each generation may have their views on the “right” way to work, it’s clear that the one thing they all need is flexible work options! What’s more, having flexible work policies can help bridge the gaps among your workforce.

Equal for All

One common complaint about flexible work policies is that they don’t apply fairly to everyone. Take, for example, parents and nonparents. Those with children might leave early to pick up the kids after school. Their child-free counterparts may complain that they have to pick up the slack while working parents say they work after hours, but it’s not noticed. And pet parents might complain that they don’t get the same consideration at all!

A flexible work policy that applies equally to all staff can help bridge the gap between generations. For example, if you have a paid leave policy for parents, consider creating a policy that allows for paid leave to care for aging parents or even pets. This way, everyone feels appreciated, and no one feels left out!

Flexibility for Diversity

Diverse teams tend to make better decisions and be more profitable than less diverse teams. A company with flexible work opportunities will appeal to candidates from all generations, leading to a more diverse and inclusive workforce that stays loyal for the long haul.

Beyond Flexible Hours

Think beyond flexible schedules too. Consider offering subsidies for childcare, along with assistance for in-home care for aging parents. Or, offer financial assistance for pet insurance and fertility treatments.

Across the Years

It would be simplistic to suggest that flexibility is the key to resolving every generational dispute, but these examples show how creating flexible policies for all your staff can help them find common ground.