Generational conflict in the workplace is a myth

- 76% of American workers enjoy working alongside colleagues of different ages.

- 68% of respondents across all generations think the way the world does business will change dramatically in the next five to ten years.

Weston 28 June 2019 - According to new research from Ricoh [1], the reality of multigenerational working relationships is more collaborative than perceived. The report, which included 1,500 respondents from the United States and Canada, found that 71% consider an intergenerational workplace to be a business asset and 76% of those same employees said they enjoy working alongside colleagues of different ages. In addition, today's workforce is more cohesive than ever. It is no longer enough to measure financial success, as employees of all generations [2] are asking organizations to drive positive change in the world.

No doubt, the line between the personal and professional spheres is blurring as technology reshapes the traditional office. Career choice and how they want to work are increasingly becoming determining factors for talent. This is driving employees of all ages to recognize each other's strengths and areas of opportunity for improvement," explains Lorna Hernandez, Vice President of Human Resources, at Ricoh Latin America. For example, more than 3 in 5 respondents believe that a four-day workweek can be more efficient, as the technology used by Generation Z is becoming increasingly crucial to productivity.

Today's workforce is unique, just as it was 20 years ago, and 20 years before that," said Donna Venable, Executive Vice President, Human Resources and Deputy General Manager, Shared Services, at Ricoh Americas. "The truth is that today's human capital has more generations that are unifying. We are seeing a greater understanding, that no action is too small to contribute to a larger business vision and, therefore, there is a greater understanding of the collective impact businesses can have to help ensure a better future for generations to come."

Other findings of the report:

72% of respondents across all generations believe in their company's values and ideals.

Employees are personally invested in their workplaces, with an average of 59% across all generations seeing their work as a key factor in defining who they are as a person.

An average of 68% of respondents across all generations think that the way the world does business will change dramatically in the next five to ten years.

65% of employees agree that sustainability should be at the heart of business strategies in the next five to ten years.
Employees also believe that the role of a responsible employer should include digital empowerment and innovation in their sectors. They see new technologies as vital to driving this change, with 66% agreeing that technology should play a central role in helping them work in the best possible way. Meanwhile, 74% believe that the best companies invest in digital technologies for the productivity of their talent.

Lorna Hernandez adds: "It's not just the younger generations who want companies to act. We are seeing all age groups coming together with a collective demand to incorporate more sustainable and responsible working practices, something we hold dear at Ricoh. This means operating in harmony with the environment and demonstrating respect for the workforce and society at large. At Ricoh, we are embracing and taking action to support the UN Sustainable Development Goals, including a commitment to reduce our CO2 emissions to zero by 2050. As business leaders, we must listen to our talent.

for more information on the study, please visit: www.ricoh-usa.com/multigenworkplace