Exploring Key HR Challenges in Managing a Multigenerational Indian Workforce

Abstract

The present study aims at understanding practitioners’ perspectives on managing generational differences at workplace. Participants included 30 HR manages from varied organisations in Mumbai and Delhi. In-depth interviews were conducted, transcribed and analysed to generate themes. Seven key challenges emerged from the discussion which HR managers reckon with while managing a multigenerational team: ‘understanding the generational markers unique to the Indian context’, understanding generational groups’ perspectives on ‘career’, ‘learning’, ‘leadership’, ‘communication and technology’, ‘attitudes towards work’ and ‘understanding generational differences in blue-collared workers’. While generational differences may cause conflicts and tensions, understanding and appreciating them would help managers to deal with these differences in a gainful manner.