The American workforce is much more diverse today than ever before, with the age range of employees spanning 60 years. Each generation has its own unique values and behavior which can sometimes cause misunderstanding in the workplace. Generational diversity can be a great strength for organizations, or a source of frustration.

The Center for Public Health Practice is holding a four-hour video conference on "Multi-generational workplaces: Leading in the Future." The conference is designed to enhance the knowledge and skills not only of leaders, but everyone in the workforce to understand and thrive in the next decade.

Why is it important to learn more about the different generations?

• The US population is expected to increase by 23.9 million from 2004 to 2014, at a slower rate of growth than during both the 1994-2004 and 1984-1994 periods. (U.S. Dept. of Labor)
• Total employment is expected to increase from 145.6 million in 2004 to 164.5 million in 2014, or by 13%. The 18.9 million jobs that will be added by 2014 will not be evenly distributed across major industrial and occupational groups. Changes in consumer demand, technology, and many other factors will contribute to the continually changing employment structure in the U.S. economy (U.S. Dept. of Labor)
• The CPP Global Human Capitol Network predicts a "silver tsunami' of baby boomer retirements over the next 10 years.
• As the baby boomers approach retirement, many firms are investing in leadership development and succession programs. They are focusing on building bench strength: embedding in their top young talent the skills and wherewithal to take over leadership positions when the time comes. According to recent studies, chances are that these talented workers may not be interested in taking on the roles for which they are being groomed (Harvard Management Update, Vol. 11, 2006)
• Seventy-sever percent of workers with children consider themselves "family-centric" rather than principally "work-centric," a number that has grown with the post-baby boom generations. (Harvard Management Update, Vol. 11, 2006)

Learning to appreciate the different social and cultural environments in which each generation came of age and entered the workforce is essential to being successful in this changing workplace. Effective leaders must be able to bridge four generations at work.

Workshop Objectives:

• Identify the four generations, and describe the characteristics of each generation.
• Describe and consider the work place environment that each generation prefers.
• Examine the impact of multigenerational workplaces for leadership.
• Explore development strategies for emerging young leaders.

The conference will be held on October 13th from 11am to 3:30pm. Various sites throughout the state will act as host sites for participants. Registration will be through OhioTrain under course id# 1019246.

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The Center for Public Health Practice is a part of The Ohio State University's College of Public Health. The center is home to federally funded public health programs, including the Center for Public Health Preparedness, Pennsylvania and Ohio Public Health Training Center and the Buckeye Bluegrass Regional Leadership Academy. The center provides training to hundreds of public health practitioners every year through in-person and online programs. It also offers contractual and fee-for-service support in the areas of organizational and leadership development.