Did you steal my stapler?

The survey, by Kelly Services, finds that Gen Y is increasingly using instant messaging, yet all age groups overwhelmingly prefer face-to-face communication. When receiving rewards and bonuses, younger workers prefer cash payments, while many older workers opt for non-cash rewards such as time off work and training opportunities.

Among other key findings:

• Baby boomers believe they understand the generational differences better than Gen Y or Gen .
• In communicating with colleagues, all generations prefer face-to-face discussion over written or electronic communication.
• Gen Y largely opt for traditional cash rewards while many Gen X and baby boomers lean toward non-cash benefits such as time off work and training opportunities.
• More than a third (38 percent) say they have experienced intergenerational conflicts in their workplace.

There is acknowledgement across the spectrum that age-related differences do impact the way people go about their work, and 74 percent say they adapt their communication style in dealing with colleagues from a different generation.