Age Diversity at Work: Talking 'Bout My Generation

There's no training manual for how to manage multigenerational workforces. Yet a new study from the Australian School of Business covering four generational cohorts in five countries shows significant differences in work values exist between age groups. Members of Generation Y may be technologically adept, but their focus on leisure strongly conflicts with Traditionalists' and Baby Boomers' hard-work ethics. Adaptability is required all round. Some companies are actually leveraging generational differences. And when initiatives are designed to appeal to the "work-is-not-my-life" young ones, often more seasoned colleagues also opt to get with the program.