How P&G UK is championing an intergenerational workplace and supporting Gen Z talent

Summary

P&G UK is committed to building an inclusive, intergenerational workplace where employees across every stage of their career can learn, grow and thrive together. As Gen Z reshapes the future of work, P&G UK continues to invest in supportive leadership, wellbeing, development opportunities and a “Grow from Within” culture that brings together diverse perspectives, experiences and skillsets across generations.

As Gen Z continues to shape the future of work, creating workplaces where different generations can learn from one another has never been more important. In the UK, Gen Z represents more than 13.6 million people, accounting for around 20% of the population.

At P&G UK, people are at the heart of our business, and our long-standing commitment to “Grow from Within” has helped create a naturally intergenerational workplace. By developing talent internally across every stage of a career, from apprenticeships and graduate programmes through to senior leadership, our teams bring together employees with different experiences, perspectives and skillsets who learn from one another every day.

Why Intergenerational Workplaces Matter

The future of work is increasingly being shaped by multigenerational collaboration. Businesses that create environments where employees across generations feel supported, respected and empowered are best positioned to thrive, and in doing so, build strong workplace cultures.

Our Northern Europe Senior HR Director, Mike Robinson, was recently invited to join the Oxford University Business Economics Programme’s ‘Elevate’ workshop. He took part in the panel discussion, “Gen Z and Intergenerational Dynamics: Exploring how generational change is reshaping work, leadership and economic opportunity.”

Facilitated by coach and writer Kate Tojeiro, the panel brought together business leaders and workplace experts to explore why creating workplaces where different generations can learn from one another is becoming increasingly important for the future of work.

Alongside Rebecca Robins, author of Five Generations at Work: How We Win Together, For Good, Mike shared P&G UK’s perspective on building an inclusive workplace culture where employees across generations can learn from one another and thrive together.

P&G UK’s “Grow from Within” Culture

At P&G UK, we are committed to providing employees with real responsibility from day one, world-class training and development, and a supportive and inclusive culture where every employee’s well-being is a priority.

Understanding the expectations and experiences of younger generations remains essential to building a successful and future-focused organisation. During the panel discussion, Mike shared how P&G UK’s “Grow from Within” ethos has naturally created multigenerational teams across the business:

“At P&G UK, our “Grow from Within” culture means we bring together people at every stage of their career, and we actively encourage colleagues to learn from one another every day. We know employees perform at their best when they feel comfortable contributing ideas, asking questions and learning through experience, regardless of age or seniority. That combination of fresh perspectives, experience and expertise helps create stronger teams, better leadership and better outcomes for the people we serve across the UK.”

Supporting Gen Z in the Workplace

A key focus of the panel discussion was the growing pressure many Gen Z employees are experiencing both inside and outside of work. Research shows that 40% of Gen Z feel stressed most of the time, while 35% say their job contributes to that stress. Economic insecurity and a lack of purpose were identified as major contributing factors, reinforcing the importance of employers creating environments where employees feel supported both professionally and personally.

At P&G UK, our own recent research into workplace belonging has helped deepen our understanding of what younger generations need to feel supported and able to thrive at work.

Our research found that Gen Z employees are more likely than other generations to define belonging as:

• Feeling their wellbeing genuinely matters (32%)
• Having their ambitions taken seriously (23%)

These findings reinforce the importance of creating workplaces where employees feel supported and connected to meaningful work at every stage of their career.

Building Inclusive Leadership Across Generations

The relationship between managers and younger employees was also a key topic during the discussion. Mike reflected on how P&G UK’s multigenerational teams create opportunities for employees to learn from one another in both directions.

He also highlighted how empathetic and inclusive leadership remains central to building a culture where people can be their authentic selves, contribute ideas confidently and continue developing throughout their careers.

The changing role of technology is one example of how experiences can differ across generations. Recent PwC data reveals that 51% of Gen Z workers feel they have control over how technology impacts their role, while only 21% of Gen X workers feel the same. The findings highlight the importance of accessible learning opportunities across generations and the need to bridge digital education gaps within the workplace.

Reflecting on P&G UK’s approach to supporting employees, Mike said:

“We continue investing in supportive leadership and creating an environment where employees feel comfortable sharing ideas, building new skills and learning from one another across generations. Bringing together different experiences and perspectives helps create stronger teams, better leaders and a workplace where people can thrive.”

The Future of Work at P&G UK

We were grateful for the opportunity to take part in these important conversations and share P&G UK’s perspective on the future of work, as a leading UK employer.

As workplaces continue to evolve, we remain committed to creating an environment where employees across every generation can learn together, develop new skills and build meaningful careers. By investing in inclusive leadership, employee wellbeing and multigenerational collaboration, P&G UK continues to support a workplace culture where people can thrive together now and in the future.

FAQs

Why is Gen Z reshaping the future of work?
Gen Z employees are bringing new expectations around wellbeing, flexibility, purpose, inclusion and career development. Employers are increasingly adapting workplace cultures and leadership approaches to better support younger generations while creating opportunities for collaboration across all age groups.

What is P&G UK’s “Grow from Within” approach?
P&G UK’s “Grow from Within” philosophy focuses on developing talent internally through apprenticeships, graduate programmes, training, mentoring and leadership development. This approach helps create strong multigenerational teams where employees can learn from one another throughout their careers.

How does P&G UK support intergenerational collaboration?
P&G UK supports intergenerational collaboration by creating inclusive teams, investing in supportive leadership, encouraging knowledge sharing and providing development opportunities for employees at every career stage. The company believes diverse experiences and perspectives help create stronger teams, better leadership and better outcomes for consumers.