Intergenerational relations at work in Sweden and the UK

In most European countries today, people risk being considered old in their working lives already at the age of 40, 45, or 50. Younger people are in demand and older people seem to have a decreasing value. An aim of the study was to extend the understanding and knowledge of this phenomenon by studying younger people's perceptions and experiences of older colleagues and managers in Sweden and the UK. Another aim was to collect examples of practical measures that could be applied in workplace to encourage intergenerational co-operation. The results were based on semi-structured interviews with 32 people, 16 in each country, aged 25-34. The analysis was accomplished manually and using a computer package for qualitative analysis. The results showed that younger people appreciated older people's experience, but found it easier to communicate and socialize with people of their own age. Negative stereotypes of older people could have an effect on younger people, who felt pressured not to waste time and to make a career quickly, before it was too late. Mentoring, team Working in cross-age groups, and social activities outside the workplace were mentioned as examples of practical measures for the encouragement of intergenerational cooperation.