Imagine forming a deep, supportive friendship with someone three decades older or younger than you at work. Sounds unusual, right? But what if these unexpected bonds were actually the key to a happier, more productive workplace? Kerehoma 'Kere' Hetaraka, a 21-year-old, experienced this firsthand when he started working at the Glen Hotel in Brisbane. He never anticipated becoming close friends with his 51-year-old manager, Adam Jamieson.
Kere describes Adam as the "cool, fun uncle" of the workplace, someone who genuinely understands his needs and helps him excel. This blossoming friendship highlights a fascinating trend: the rise of intergenerational connections in the modern workplace. This trend isn't just about surface-level interactions; it's about building genuine relationships that benefit everyone involved.
You've probably seen the playful side of this trend on social media. Gen Z workers are creating TikTok and Instagram videos showcasing their friendships with older colleagues, often with captions like "my work bestie" or "me and someone's parent 8 hours a day." These videos are lighthearted and fun. But here's where it gets controversial... are these relationships really impactful, or are they just for show? Workers and experts argue that these intergenerational relationships can have a profound impact on workplace culture and offer valuable learning opportunities for all.
Adam Jamieson emphasizes that their four years of working together have been a two-way street of education. "The advantage of working with someone so young is getting to understand the younger generation… how they deal with their feelings," he explains. He admits that initially, he found it "jarring" to see younger colleagues react strongly to seemingly minor issues. "That's something that [my generation] kind of neglect and deal with later," he says. But through their interactions, both Adam and Kere have significantly improved their emotional intelligence.
Associate Professor Chad Chiu from the University of Queensland Business School confirms that the benefits of intergenerational friendships are supported by research. He highlights the "strength of weak ties" theory, which suggests that individuals gain the most from relationships with people who are different from them – whether in terms of age, gender, or race. And this is the part most people miss... These friendships aren't just personally enriching; they can also boost careers and business performance. Professor Chiu explains that studies show that diverse networks lead to better performance, increased creativity, and a greater willingness to collaborate long-term.
Now, let's talk about which sectors are truly embracing age diversity. While the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) indicates that hospitality is a popular industry for young employees (around 482,000 people aged 15 to 24), it has relatively few older workers (only 131,000 over 50 as of November 2025). The real leaders in age diversity are healthcare and social assistance, and education and training. Healthcare boasts hundreds of thousands of workers in nearly every age bracket, making it the most populated industry for all age groups over 24, with over 2.3 million employees overall. Education and training, with 1.3 million workers, holds the second-highest number of employees from different age groups.
Professor Chiu emphasizes that age diversity is a defining characteristic of the modern Australian workforce. With the retirement age rising to 67, people are spending more time at work. His research on workplace inclusion reveals that job performance and attitudes don't significantly vary across generations. "In fact, there's more evidence that shows people across different generations have more in common than [they have] differences," he states. His recommendation? "Try to understand individuals as people rather than thinking this a [baby] boomer, or this is a Gen Z, or Gen Y."
For Adam and Kere, embracing their generational differences has fostered both professional and personal growth. Adam suggests, "For anyone that feels that there's a bit of a gap between generations, it's good to try and understand… for an older generation, try getting on TikTok and watching how the kids do it, and the same goes for the younger generation." He concludes, "It's such a benefit to learn and bridge those gaps."
But what do you think? Have you experienced the benefits (or challenges) of intergenerational friendships at work? Do you believe that focusing on individual personalities is more important than generational labels? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below! Do you agree with the assertion that there are more similarities than differences between generations in the workplace, or do you think the generational gap is a real and significant issue? Let's discuss!
