Does the old geezer you work with stubbornly refuse to accept change? Does the inexperienced, fresh- out-of-college know-it-all have you tearing your hair out? Intergenerational differences can cause conflict and misunderstanding in the workplace. Workplace tensions can arise when people of different generations — working side by side — don't understand each other. You can diffuse tension at work by learning about the differences among your colleagues, appreciating those differences and making an effort to interact with members of each generation in a way that suits their work ethic and communication style.