Is your work BFF older or younger than you?

Workers across Australian organisations, regardless of industry, will be operating with colleagues who are either older or younger than them, as the age diversity across the workforce has never been more widespread.

With five generations in the same vicinity constantly, friendships of different age ranges are going to occur. There are a number of benefits that can come from this. For younger workers especially, by befriending an older worker, it’s more than likely that their older counterpart will be at a higher level within the organisation, which can open up mentorship opportunities.

Another benefit is that it can also contribute to career growth as they can share insider insights on what matters to the leadership team. It also potentially gives you someone to vent to and engage in informal conversations, speaking freely about the joys and frustrations of your work.

“As our workplaces become increasingly age-diverse, it is important to befriend colleagues across age groups. Embracing these relationships can encourage an exchange of experiences and diverse perspectives, which can evolve into an informal mentorship. Intergenerational friendships can also help to bridge gaps created by generational differences, leading to a more cohesive and collaborative work environment,” said Cayla Dengate, LinkedIn Australia career expert.

According to LinkedIn, in Australia, 43 per cent of professionals feel they need a close work friend, yet these close work friendships are far more common among young workers befriending each other. Around 55 per cent of Gen Z and 52 per cent of Millennials have a close friend/friends at work, compared to 50 per cent of Gen X and 49 per cent of Baby Boomers.

Paired with this data was that 45 per cent of professionals also feel that they need a mentor at work, but only 29 per cent have one.

Forming those close bonds with people from a different era to you can be a strenuous task for anyone, regardless of how many runs they’ve got on the board. Below, Dengate offers some insight into how these friendships can be ignited.

• Find common ground: “Start conversations to learn about your colleagues’ interests outside of work. Ask about their hobbies, industry trends that they care about, or their favourite sport at the Olympics. This can help you find shared interests and build connections.”
• Be open about seeking mentorship: “Let your colleagues know that you’re looking for a mentor and share the skills you want to learn. You might find a colleague from another generation who can guide you, and this could just be the start to a new friendship.”
• Embrace different perspectives: “Connect with your colleagues on LinkedIn, engage with them on their posts and participate in these conversations. Engaging in discussions, both online and offline, helps understand their viewpoints and learn from their experiences.”
• Collaborate on projects: “Volunteer to work on projects with colleagues from different age groups. This will give you a chance to learn from their experiences and work styles.”
• Organise informal meet-ups: “Who doesn’t love a free lunch or coffee? Set up casual outings to get to know colleagues in a relaxed setting, breaking down any formal barriers,” said Dengate.”