Managing generational diversity at the workplace: expectations and perceptions of different generations of employees

The behaviours, attitudes, and work values of three generations of employees may be influenced by their historical, economic, social, and cultural experiences. Work tensions and conflicts are inevitable if the Baby Boomer, generation X, and generation Y employees fail to understand and accept the unique and different characteristics of each group, and to embrace their similarities. If employees from one group constantly blame individuals from another group when they fail to achieve their expectations, aspirations, and personal goals, there would be ramifications, resulting in organisational disharmony and chaos. This article qualitatively highlights the expectation perception gap as a potential source of misperception and misunderstanding between employees from three generational groups. It also provides potential strategies on how to narrow that gap in a multigenerational workforce.