Navigating Generational Differences

How to use Inclusive Language

Harassment is the flip side of poor diversity & inclusion. When we work with people whose life experiences and perspectives differ from our own, it’s easy to be emotionally reactive and ignore differences amongst co-workers. Whether someone is misbehaving and behaving problematically varies based on who is evaluating the conduct and that person’s demographics and perspective. Who is misbehaving and who is a “harasser” is not obvious.

Microlesson Description

“Harassment” is not a policy or set of laws to memorize. Acting respectfully in a multi-generational, diverse workforce is a competency; it’s a skill to develop, practice, and measure. This microlesson emphasizes the importance of acknowledging differences between co-workers, while training on how to avoid the friction that those differences might solve. An engaging video scenario paired with employee sentiment questions allows employees to check their assumptions, and confidentially compare their viewpoints to those of their co-workers.

Key Concepts

- Factors that cause employee conflict, such as different perspectives and different life experiences
- The dangers of stereotyping and “othering,” or setting one demographic apart from the predominant group
- How to be intentional with your words to include others