For the first time in history, five generations are sharing the workplace. But grouping different generations under one roof doesn’t have to cause friction. Sometimes it means unlikely friendships blossom.
“Me & someone’s dad 8 hours a day,” TikTok creator @witchofwallstreet posted last week. In the video, the young financial planner and her older colleague are lip-synching to a remix of Nicki Minaj’s “Beez in the Trap” (featuring 2 Chainz) and 4 Non Blondes’ 1993 hit “What’s Up?” The video currently has over 13 million views.
This lip-synch trend featuring these songs has been circulating online in recent weeks, but has now been taken up by coworkers to showcase their age-gap workplace friendships.
“Me and someone’s mom at our 9 to 5,” another TikTok user posted, lip-synching to the same remix. “Age gap friendships are my forte,” she added in the caption.
The comments are filled with others sharing fond memories of their unlikely workplace besties.
“At my first big girl job, I was 21 and my work bestie was 75,” one wrote. “Mary was the freaking best.”
Some videos overlay the text “workplaces are experiencing major age gaps,” followed by something like “me and someone’s dad 8 hours a day.”
These “major age gaps” are primarily due to older workers remaining in the workforce longer than ever, either out of choice or economic necessity.
A phenomenon called “age similarity preference” means that we often gravitate toward people of a similar age, including among our coworkers. However, an AARP survey found that nearly 4 in 10 adults have a friend who’s 15 years older or younger, most often meeting through work.
Having friends is important, no matter their age. About half of adults in the U.S. report feeling lonely, and 45% of workers reported feelings of loneliness at work, according to a new study from the accounting and advisory firm KPMG.
Workplace friendships have tons of benefits—both for the employee and the organization as a whole. Research has found that positive workplace relationships are not only beneficial for teamwork, career development, and building a sense of community, but they also help employees find more meaning in their work.
Age-gap friendships have their own unique benefits, with fewer feelings of competition and pressure. Many have already named “girl dads” as the best bosses.
Naturally, there are many things that boomers, millennials, and Gen Zers don’t always see eye to eye on—from how often to come into the office to the necessity of small talk. Yet, having much older or much younger friends at work can help break down negative stereotypes about different generations by revealing common interests.
Even if that is filming TikToks on your lunch break.