Managing Generational Divides in Workplace Communication

The average 2025 employee is, in a word, reachable. Never before have your coworkers or employers had so many ways of getting in touch with you. For some, these varied methods of communication are overwhelming, while others enjoy the flexibility of having access to workplace correspondence while on the go.  

Regardless of which category you fall into, one thing is certain, communication (or lack thereof) can make or break a business. In fact, research shows that 86% of workers “cite the lack of effective collaboration and communication as the main causes of workplace failures.”  

While there are many things which affect how successfully employees communicate with each other, one of the most significant factors is generational divides in workplace communication. There are currently four different generations that make up the bulk of the global workforce, and thanks to technological advancement of the last century, all four of these generations grew up with access to different modes of communication. If these differences are not addressed in the workplace, it can lead to a very chaotic and contentious environment. Not only that, but effective communication has been found to result in a 72% increase in productivity, so this is truly an issue that shouldn’t be swept under the rug. 

That’s why we’ve gathered this information— to help you better understand the generational divide, and come up with workplace communication strategies that will be effective for your specific and diverse workforce.  

The Four Working Generations

While the telephone was technically invented at the end of the 19th century, it wasn’t until post WWII that they became a common feature in every American household. This means that our oldest working generation—The Baby Boomers—would’ve been born right as the landline was about to see its true heyday.  

Boomers, who were born between 1945 and 1964, and nearly 50% of whom are expected to work past the age of 70, are therefore very comfortable speaking on the telephone. This isn’t to suggest that phone calls are definitively their preferred form of communication, but it’s important to note when thinking about bridging generational gaps—especially since some of the younger generations can be very against talking on the phone.  

Next on the list of our multigenerational workforce is Gen Xers. These individuals were born between 1965 and 1980, and while they definitely would’ve used landlines a lot growing up, many of them were also entering young adulthood when the internet became more widely accessible. Because of this, they are likely to be more comfortable using email than perhaps Baby Boomers are, but are also not going to panic if their phone rings.  

This brings us to Millennials (1980-1997), who currently make up the largest bulk of the workforce. When it comes to communication, Millennials were learning how to text at the same time they were learning cursive letters. Smart phones, which were introduced in the mid-late 2000s, made texting that much easier, and personal phone calls were quickly becoming a thing of the past by the time Millennials started entering the workforce.  

Last but not least, the youngest generation in the workforce (born after 1997) is Gen-Z. This generation not only prefers texting/online chatting, they often characterize themselves as being afraid of other forms of communication, like phone calls or in-person meetings. One survey found that 81% of both Millennials and Gen-Z find calls “rude and anxiety-inducing.”  

That said, just because these generations grew up under very different technological umbrellas, that doesn’t mean managers can’t find effective workplace communication strategies. There are actually some areas of overlap when it comes to preferred correspondence and setting clear, reasonable expectations for your employees can help ease frustrations. In the meantime, here are some other tips on how to address generational divides in workplace communication.  

The Importance of Communicating About Communication

The first thing to consider when looking to bridge the generational gaps in your workplace, is what everyone has in common.  

When it comes to communication challenges specifically, it’s important to note that nobody wants to be corresponding after work hours.  

A recent study found that workers claim “being available to respond to requests at all hours was adversely affecting their mental health and cutting into their available time to spend relaxing with family and friends.” Similarly, other research has shown that “members of Generation Z are even less likely to want to be ‘always reachable’,” and Baby Boomers are cited saying they receive too many emails.  

What do these statistics tell us about effective communication in the workplace? That it must be limited to the workplace.  

Now, having employees only communicate either in-office or during work hours is going to be difficult, even more so if everyone is using different communication methods. But this can be remedied with one simple thing—communication.  

Ask your employees what forms of communication they are most comfortable with, whether or not there are any methods that they do not fully know how to use, etc.  

Then, use this information to set expectations for the entire workforce. Invite your employees to be a part of the conversation, and make sure everyone is trained on newer modes of communication (like Slack or Discord).  

Base your workplace correspondence methods on what your employees want and how they best communicate with one another and work to reduce after-hours correspondence.  

Why It’s Worth the Effort…  

This might seem like a lot of effort to go to for something as simple as sending an email or answering a text, but it can have a major impact. As we’ve already discussed, better communication leads to a more successful/productive workforce, but there are other factors at play here, like upholding diversity and respecting workers of all ages.  

It’s time to start seeing the generational differences as assets instead of inhibitors—because they are. Diversity in the workforce has been proven to “make our teams and organizations smarter, more creative, more innovative, and more profitable.” A multigenerational workforce, when properly managed, can utilize the best traits all four working generations have to offer.  

But that’s the key phrase isn’t it? When properly managed.  

If your workplace is improperly managed, and communication is all over the place, it can be a disaster. Frustrations rise, important correspondence slips through the cracks, and your voice goes unheard. But we know you have good ideas and sought-after skills, which is why CyberCoders is here to help match you with a workplace that embraces diversity and facilitates effective communication. Our expert recruiters not only take you as an employee seriously, but we know how valuable your time is, which is why we work to get you set up with interviews and offers quickly. To learn more about our services, check out our website!