Linklaters LLP Luxembourg kicked off the Grand Duchy’s Diversity Week with an event that focused on an aspect of diversity that is often overlooked – the intergenerational gap; the firm, a signatory to the Diversity Charter since 2014, is widely recognised as a leading force in developing and delivering equal opportunities for all.
The event, attended by Corinne Cahen, Luxembourg Minister of Family and Integration and patron of the Diversity Charter Lëtzebuerg, was opened by Linklaters newly-elected National Managing Partner Patrick Geortay. Mr Geortay saw the event as an opportunity to engage with clients on a subject that has a profound impact on businesses today and tomorrow. Millennials, or Generation Y, bring a whole new set of skills, experiences and attitudes to the workplace, so how can we best integrate their needs and expectations into the traditional workplace?
Silke Bernard, Partner at Linklaters LLP Luxembourg, believes diversity between age groups is just as important as gender, race and culture. She stated that some Millennials may have little appetite for a stable employment, they have a tendency to be project-driven and seem to live in a global village with no limits or geographical barriers. Their attitude towards work life is very different from other generations and their skills, energy and ”thinking out of the box” capacity may bring enormous benefits to an organisation. Ms Bernard stated “Nobody is neutral about Millennials. Some people say they are living in a different world and are hard to understand, while others seem to either fear or admire them. We wanted to find out what is behind these stereotypes, and how the ‘always on’ generation can help us shape our businesses for the future.”
A panel discussion with representatives from generation X : Sébastien Danloy (Managing Director, Continental Europe & Offshore, RBC Investor & Treasury Services), André Prüm (Professor of Law), Nicki Kayser (Capital Markets and Banking & HR Partner, Linklaters), Silke Bernard (Investment Management Partner and Member of Diversity & Inclusion Group, Linklaters) and generation Y: Jonathan Levi (Kliber), Bart Vermaat, (Capital Markets and Banking, Managing Associate, Linklaters), highlighted the enormous shift technology has brought to the workplace since the times when careers started with faxes, typewriters and photocopiers. There was an interesting debate with representatives of Generation Y, digitally-skilled, looking to be challenged and prone to thinking out of the box.
After a Q&A session, what became clear is that there is a huge crossover between both generations in terms of commitment, drive, determination and a desire to capture the best of both worlds. Yes, there may be a generation gap, but there is also a huge opportunity to bridge that gap, to share experiences, attitudes and outlooks between the young and the more experienced generations to the benefit of all.
Ms Bernard concluded “Millennials bring many interesting qualities, skills and energy. If we are able to join our strengths across generations we have a real opportunity to set the direction for successful recruitment, training and retention of talent which will be a prerequisite to building robust businesses for the future.”
