We will soon have five generations in the workforce. Retired Professional Group (RPG) colleagues have been discussing how professional bodies and other organisations need to adapt to meet the needs of an age diverse workforce that will include generation alpha (those born after the early 2010s).

The importance of sharing good practice across different roles and sectors is well recognised. But we also need to build understanding across different generations.

In February 2021 RPG members joined the first virtual IFLA knowledge cafe with a discussion of ‘Age Diversity in the Workplace’ hosted by the KM and CPD / Workplace Learning" Sections. Maggie Farrell (Nevada, USA) and Svelana Gorokhova (Moscow, Russian Federation) chaired the sessions and the conclusions reached included the following:

• Don’t assume – while there are general characteristics for each generation, each individual is unique. Factors that might define preferred communication and working styles include diversity, life experiences, etc.


• Listen – be patient – observe. This will enable all of us to value input from each other and advance the organisation.


• Employees are coming to our organisations with differing expectations. How can we structure organisations that meet those expectations? Can we be more flexible? How do we adapt?


• Professional development – newer employees are coming to the workforce with an expectation that their positions and their companies will change. How do we help employees meet not only current needs but future needs?

Marc Freedman author of How to live forever – the enduring power of connecting the generations (2018) and CEO of Encore.org argues that we live in an age-segregated society, one where housing, employment, education and pensions policy combine to separate the old from the young. He feels that this “age apartheid” is out of step with demographic trends and counter-productive. The secret to happiness, longevity, and living on is through mentoring the next generation.

Mentoring for professional registration is a good example of cross-generation working. Think about becoming a CILIP mentor to candidates for Chartership or Certification. Training is provided, and it is an excellent way of communicating with younger information, library and knowledge professionals, and gaining an insight into the many changes taking place in different settings. There is no lower or upper age limit to becoming a mentor.

See the “Diverse Generation Staff” infographic created by the RPG team for the various issues and styles linked to age diversity.

The Impact of Covid

Working from home sounds straight forward, but increasingly less experienced colleagues have been asked to make prompt and often binding decisions because there has been no experienced colleague to turn to for quick guidance.

At work the opportunity for a quick thumbs up about a challenge, often carried out in informal settings, is all about learning and sharing experience; that opportunity is not always there when working from home. The process is not just learning from the head of the herd, this is also about working in teams.

For many there has not been a choice regarding the use of Teams and Zoom. Top tips from RPG for a successful multi-generational workforce:

• Do not stereotype
• Be respectful
• Exercise Flexibility
• Communicate openly and actively
• Plan for the future

RPG is keen to engage with a broad range of members and non-members including those who are retired or semi retired and those on career breaks, part timers and portfolio careerists. Although RPG attracts a lot of members aged 50 and over there is no lower age limit to becoming a member of RPG.

As a CILIP member, you’re able to join any regional network, devolved nation or special interest group (including RPG) via your SocialLink Profile. There is no extra charge to join extra groups.

CILIP Groups including RPG

See the list of CILIP groups that you can join (login to CILIP website required).

You can also review what updates you receive from CILIP (and add RPG to the updates list).

Retired Professional Group – email with feedback and questions: chair.rpg@cilip.org.uk

David Byrne, Facilitator Creative Groups UK, ex Head of KM at BT Legal and Retired Professionals Group Committee Member.