With five generations of workers coming together to collaborate in today’s workforce — all of whom were raised in different times and with different expectations — it’s no wonder that mental health is a sticky subject in the workplace.
Navigating Mental Health in a Multigenerational Workplace
Three strategies to help leaders support a workforce that spans five generations.
October 24, 2023
HBR Staff/Tim Robberts/oxygen/Getty Images
Summary.
Today’s workers increasingly expect their employer to play a role in improving mental health. But with five different generations coming together in the workplace, who were all raised with different expectations about how to talk about mental health challenges at work, it’s no wonder that it’s a tricky topic for managers to navigate. But one thing is clear: Future leaders — and workers — are demanding a level of vulnerability that’s new, uncomfortable, and 100% necessary. This article offers three approaches for organizations to support better mental health and more productive conversations across generations going forward.