New research highlights generational tensions impacting productivity in UK and US workplaces.
- Employees much younger than their managers report lower productivity due to generational gaps.
- Larger age differences between employees and managers correlate with reduced productivity.
- Intergenerationally inclusive practices enhance productivity among younger workers, study finds.
- Organizations must adapt to leverage diverse generational dynamics to improve workforce efficiency.
According to recent findings from the London School of Economics and Political Science in collaboration with Protiviti, generational tensions are notably impacting workplace productivity in both the UK and the US. The research reveals that employees who are significantly younger than their managers often report lower productivity levels. This phenomenon is attributed to a lack of effective collaboration across different age groups within organizations.
The study, which surveyed 1,450 employees from finance, technology, and professional services sectors, indicates that friction between differing generations is a primary factor leading to decreased productivity. Companies are thus encouraged to implement intergenerationally inclusive work practices to bridge these gaps. Key strategies involve fostering environments where all generations can easily integrate and emphasizing merit-based advancements rather than age-determined progression.
Crucial findings from the survey demonstrate that 25% of all employees self-reported low productivity. Breaking this down by generation, 37% of Gen Z, 30% of Millennials, 22% of Gen X, and 14% of Baby Boomers expressed struggles with productivity. Notably, those with managers more than 12 years their senior were 1.5 times more likely to report reduced productivity.
An interesting insight from the research is the agreement across generations on vital skills for productivity and career advancement, highlighting active listening, time management, and decision-making as key competencies. Despite these commonalities, generational diversity remains a pressing issue with an ageing global workforce and fewer younger entrants in the job market.
The report emphasizes that firms embracing intergenerational inclusion show marked improvements in productivity, particularly among younger employees. For instance, the percentage of Gen Z employees reporting low productivity drops significantly from 37% to 18% in these environments. Similarly, Millennials see a reduction from 30% to 13%. Overall, 87% of employees in inclusive workplaces report high productivity, contrasting sharply with just 58% in non-inclusive settings.
Dr. Grace Lordan, leading the research, remarks on these findings, noting the ‘productivity manager age gap’ and the necessity for companies to equip managers with skills to handle generational dynamics effectively. The ongoing collaboration between The Inclusion Initiative at LSE and Protiviti aims to provide deeper insights into optimizing productivity across diverse age groups.
The study underscores the critical need for organizations to adopt intergenerational strategies to enhance productivity and workplace satisfaction.
