Bridging Generation Gaps at Work To Build a Safer Environment

The workforce is more diverse in age than ever before. One in three working adults in the US is a Millennial; and the picture is similar in the UK, with this generation making up more than 50% of the workforce.

These generations have very specific and different expectations of the workplace compared to their counterparts, something we talked about recently. They are more concerned about health and safety and expect training and resources to be available online, accessible anywhere and mobile-friendly, as standard.  

The opportunities and challenges of a multi-generational EHS workforce  

Having such a broad range of ages in the workforce is what helps make teams and businesses successful, provided they harness it properly. For those working in health and safety, this is no different. Varying peer groups will all have something valuable to add when spotting and solving a business’s biggest health and safety challenges. More experienced generations will bring a wealth of lived EHS experience, while younger groups will bring an appetite and understanding of how the newest digital technologies can bring efficiencies to health and safety programs. 

But this is also where the challenge lies. Where there are differences, there are often conflicts. The challenge for those working in health and safety is to successfully bridge these gaps to make sure generational diversity is a benefit, rather than a blocker.  

We look at three areas where small changes can be made to build a safer workplace and help encourage collaboration across generations.  
 

1. Migrating away from email for high-risk processes  

Email is a staple form of communication in every workplace. While some claim it’s dead, in 2021 an estimated 316.6 billion emails were sent and received, so it’s clearly here to stay. Rather than force email in or out, it’s far more effective to get everyone together to map out which tools are the most appropriate for the task at hand.  

Smart and safe companies like The Works are using mobile-enabled applications that put the right information directly into the hands of workers wherever they might be. But this isn’t true of everyone. Our Head of Enablement, Julian Taylor, shared a recent story where email had been used for audit purposes over an extended period. Quite simply, email shouldn’t be seen as a medium to track incidents, it shouldn’t be used to monitor and action audits and it shouldn’t be the place where a risk assessment is completed. If email is used for any of the above activities, you are putting your organization and people at risk.  

We know the new EHS professional wants access at their fingertips, to report incidents quickly and be able to work on the move. Working together and looking past generational preferences to identify what’s being shared over email and what could be done more efficiently through technology, can help across multiple areas, such as compliance, regulation and actions. 

2. A change in mindset when thinking about prevention   

When it comes to prevention, it boils down to being proactive versus reactive. We are all likely guilty of responding to something correctly once the incident has already happened, it’s human nature. There is, however, a growing importance on prevention driven by the millennial workforce. This opportunity places even greater emphasis on stopping incidents from happening. Doing everything possible to mitigate workplace accidents or identifying mental struggles before they get too detrimental.  

Combining the more cautious and preventative approach of younger workers with the knowledge and experience of someone who’s been in the business for a few decades can transform the way an organization reduces risks before incidents even happen. Taking a more millennial approach to incident prevention by putting mobile devices into the hands of your workers can be a huge driver for change and behavior.   

3. Knowing when to use and not to use spreadsheets 

When we talk to health and safety professionals at events across the US, UK and Australia, it’s clear that spreadsheets still play a huge role in capturing data and processes. We understand the allure; spreadsheets have been the standard for many, many years. For some it will get the job done, but is it the best way to get it done?  

With growing demand from younger workers for digital and mobile user-friendly tools, it’s time to question whether spreadsheets should still be the standard. There’s a reason other functions around the business have moved toward automated processes that are BYOD friendly and provide real-time solutions. Not only do they cater to the dominant digitally-fluent in the workforce, but they offer a visible shift to a better picture of your health and safety. 

Let’s not forget about training  

Ensuring that every worker, no matter their age, is up-t- date on the latest rules, regulations and processes is essential to a safe environment. But not everyone learns the same way.  

Those who have been working for the past 15-20 years are used to a traditional classroom-based approach, while younger colleagues prefer bite-size, fun and user-centered content. The good news is that research has shown adults of all ages learn better when they’re in the flow. We look at this in more detail in one of our most recent posts, ”How getting in the flow can strengthen your training program.” There are now health and safety training solutions specifically designed with these capabilities, giving the instructions and resources that workers of all ages need, in the way they need it, precisely when they need it, not when it suits the business.   
 

Bridging the gap for a safer future   

As we conclude another calendar year, many health and safety professionals will be looking ahead and planning for 2023. What’s clear is the workforce is set to continue becoming more and more diverse. While bringing together such different groups of people might feel like a challenge, there are also huge opportunities for positive change in how EHS practices and processes can be executed. Numerous studies show that diverse organizations outperform less diverse ones, and as we’ve discussed, bridging age gaps at work can really help build a safer environment.  

For those interested in learning more about how to facilitate conversations between generations, our EHS Academy is a great place for both experienced professionals and people new to their role to expand their knowledge.