man standing in front of people sitting beside table with laptop computers
New research paints a concerning picture for workplace relationships in 2025, with inter-generational friction playing a key role.
Over a quarter (27%) of Gen Z office workers (aged 18-27) would describe their workplace relationships on the whole to be negative, while the same could be said for just 16% of millennials (aged 28-42), 20% of Gen X (aged 44-59), and 13% of boomers (aged between 60-78).
With the retirement age creeping up and many organisations across the UK now having four generations in the same workforce, corporate events and team building specialist,Team Tactics, questioned over 1,000 UK office-based workers to find out about their workplace relationships and experiences.
When respondents were questioned about the reasons behind their negative relationships, ‘differences in communication’ was cited as a top-three issue for every generation. This was felt most widely by Gen Z office workers, with almost three quarters (74%) feeling that this played a role.
Differences in work styles also came up frequently, cited as a top-three source of friction by Gen Z, millennial and Gen X office workers. Meanwhile, boomers’ top bug bears with colleagues aside from communication were ‘priorities and workloads’ (cited by 57%) and ‘work ethic and commitment’ (56%).
The research also revealed workplace tensions around differences in values and beliefs for younger entrants to the workplace. Of the Gen Z office workers experiencing negative workplace relationships, 70% said that colleagues’ attitudes towards sustainability were a source of friction, while two thirds (66%) said the same towards attitudes towards diversity, equality and inclusion. This was also felt somewhat by millennial workers, with 64% saying they experience friction with colleagues over DEI and 61% over sustainability.
Commenting on the research, Tina Benson, founder at managing director atTeam Tactics, said: “The research highlights some clear inter-generational friction in the workplace at all levels, but it’s the Gen Z cohort that feel their relationships are suffering the most. Considering that the majority of Gen Z employees had a strange introduction to the workplace – with the Covid years bringing a mix of remote and hybrid working – it’s possible that younger colleagues still don’t feel as well integrated into the workforce, having had significantly less face-to-face time with colleagues.
“It’s clear that, to improve team dynamics and relationships, employers need to invest in team communication and collaboration, getting colleagues to work together more effectively. A four-generation workforce can bring many advantages with a vast accumulation of different perspectives, experiences, knowledge and skills – but there are fundamental issues that need addressing before businesses can effectively tap into this potential.”
To learn more about the research, download the reporthere.
About the research
The nationally representative survey of 1,025 UK office workers (in at least 25% office-based roles) was conducted by Censuswide in November 2024 on behalf of Team Tactics. Generations referenced in this release are defined as Gen Z (aged 18-27), millennial (aged 28-43), Gen X (aged 44-59) and Baby Boomers (aged 60-78).
About Team Tactics
Team Tactics is a leading provider of unique corporate team building and corporate events across the UK. It provides bespoke corporate entertainment events, team building days, fun business events, staff entertainment, team exercises, company outings and incentive days, as well as corporate team building solutions and hospitality for some of the UK’s major sporting and cultural events.
Founded in 1995, the business has built up an impressive portfolio, working with the likes of Barclays, Google, Ford, LinkedIn, M&S, Sky, Visa and Nestle. It prides itself on creating fun, interactive and often quirky events to engage teams, aid interaction, reward staff, improve morale and relationships, and encourage fun and enjoyment.
Team Tactics is pioneering CSR and charity events in the sector, helping organisations to give back to their communities and bring colleagues together