The Slack Intergenerational Collaboration Survey examines the collaboration of different generations within the modern hybrid working world in order to gain more precise insights into its dynamics and challenges. The survey was conducted by Slack in cooperation with the market research institute YouGov among 2,020 office workers in Germany.

For around half of those surveyed, poor communication and infrequent exchanges (face-to-face) are the main causes of conflicts with colleagues. 21% of those surveyed stated that they most frequently had conflicts with older colleagues. But it is also clear (72%): Employers definitely benefit from different generations and their strengths and appreciate the differences (61%). Managers (77%) confirm that the company benefits from teams in which several generations work together.

Generation Z: Between individual needs and reverse mentoring

61% of boomers think that Generation Z expects too many adjustments to individual needs from their employer. Half of those surveyed agree that Gen Z teaches colleagues from other generations valuable skills relating to AI and automation.

Millennials aka Generation Y: less hierarchy and more purpose

56% of respondents believe that millennials are critical. They want to be able to understand tasks and are allergic to tasks and processes that do not make sense. The majority (61%) of respondents consider millennials to be flexible and able to adapt quickly to new tools and processes. They want fewer hierarchies and prefer coaches rather than managers - at least that is what 57% of respondents claim.

The boomer generation: resilience and the mentoring role

For the majority of respondents (65%), the boomer generation's experience makes them more level-headed, especially in stressful phases, and can bring real added value to companies as mentors (69%). However, a bit of a cliché does come true in the end: for almost half of those surveyed (43%), the boomer generation is too afraid of anything new.

Digital communication for young and old

Only 46% of companies currently take employees' individual communication needs into account by allowing each team to choose their own collaboration tools. This makes it abundantly clear that collaboration between different generations requires new approaches to collaboration and communication. However, only 51% of employers have clear rules regarding digital communication and collaboration. These regulations and guidelines are a game changer for productivity for 57% of the managers surveyed.

Tim Schwietal, Head of Central Europe at Slack, is certain that the use of productivity platforms such as Slack can form a technological basis for creating suitable working environments for all employees in which everyone can work efficiently. "According to our survey, sharing and editing documents, presentations, etc. (51%) is in first place, followed by video conferencing (47%) and the highest standards of cyber and IT security (39%)."

No fear of automation in the workplace

78% of boomers surveyed are not afraid that automation and automated processes (workflows) could make their own work superfluous. So there is no fear. Among Gen Z respondents, only 51% are unconcerned. 58% of respondents think that their employer should use more automation and workflows to make work easier and more efficient and thus reduce the workload. Baby boomers are more cautious here at 43%, while a large proportion of Gen Z (69%) are in favor of automated processes and workflows.

German offices: Where and how do Germans work?

Many companies have ordered their employees back to the office full-time. Only 7% of respondents say they are able to work completely remotely (including abroad) from anywhere. Around a third (29%) have to go into the office full-time, while more than half (57%) work in a hybrid system and have more flexibility to decide whether to work in the office or from home. However, if respondents were free to decide how often they want to come into the office, the following picture emerges: only 16% of respondents want to come into the office full-time - baby boomers 23%, while Gen Z only want to come into the office full-time at 12%. According to the respondents, 2-3 days a week seems to be the ideal scenario (31%). According to the survey, 15% of respondents would prefer never to come back to the office and thus do without office interaction altogether.