For the first time in history, four generations are working side-by-side in the U.S. Workplace strategist Betty Hase spoke about the issue at the Iowa Chapter of the American Institute of Architects convention in Des Moines this week. Hase says the greater diversity in the workplace leads to more innovation and says that’s important to many organizations looking for workers. She says it’s interesting that a lot of companies are worried about retraction and retention of workers. She says business experts predict a job crisis in the near future. She says it won’t be a lack of workers, but a lack of workers with skills. She says the workplace is like a garden where lots of different plants are grown together. She says it’s not singly anyone out of the group, it’s taking them and looking at them collectively to create a space and an environment were everyone feels comfortable. For instance, she says an older worker may be comfortable in a conference room, while a young worker is more comfortable in a casual space with a coffee bar where they’re used to working with technology.
