The University of Phoenix (UOPX) hosted a virtual panel Thursday centered on hearing from those in the nation's multigenerational workforce.
The hour-long, mid-day webinar, “Voices & Perspectives of a Multigenerational Workforce,” was the second of a series focused on the multigenerational workforce. The first webinar discussed bridging generational difference gaps in the workplace.
Thursday's webinar focused on learning from the experiences of different generations, different industries, different education paths, and different careers. The three panelists included John Ramirez, dean of operations at UOPX’s College of Doctoral Studies; Erica Scott, director of people and culture at the MAPS Public Benefit Corporation and founder of Civilian Connections; and Caleb Robinson, a public affairs intern at SKDK and recent Howard University graduate.
The panel was moderated by Dr. Mallary Tytel, a professor at Grand Canyon University’s College of Nursing and Health Care Professions and founder of Healthy Workplaces.
Ramirez said that a significant issue that generational differences present to the workplace is that of potentially stereotyping people as part of the generations they are from.
“I think that when we start to put people in boxes, it is an injustice to them and it's an injustice to the organization,” he said. “It's important that people realize that people are not stagnant. There is a maturation process that occurs. So even though there is defined differences with different generations, whether you're a baby boomer who is supposed to be stuck in their ways .. versus a Gen Z who supposedly lack interpersonal skills, we've got to remember that people mature with time, knowledge, the more education that they start to absorb. I think it's important that employers try to avoid those pitfalls, try to avoid the stereotyping, and do what they can to help facilitate that maturation process."
Robinson suggested that, to combat unconscious biases in the workplace, employers should make more of an effort to get to know their employees.
