The Solution to Intergenerational Conflict in Jeonnam Fire Department Workplaces is 'Mutual Respect'

Survey Conducted for Empathy and Communication

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] A survey conducted within the Jeonnam Fire Headquarters revealed that more than half of the respondents feel a generational gap.

The Jeonnam Fire Headquarters (Chief Ma Jaeyoon) announced on the 24th that it conducted a survey titled "Empathy and Communication Between Generations" to foster a workplace culture that recognizes "difference, not disparity."

The survey consisted of 26 questions across 5 categories and was conducted over a week starting from the 28th of last month, targeting all employees. The data will be used as basic material to create a workplace atmosphere that acknowledges perceptual differences among various generations coexisting in the workplace.

Out of 3,666 current Jeonnam Fire personnel, 2,538 (69.2%) participated. By generation, the 2030 generation accounted for 1,376 respondents (54.2%), and the 4050 generation accounted for 1,162 respondents (45.8%).

When asked if they feel a generational gap in the workplace, 52.3% answered "yes," with 51.6% of men and 60.4% of women responding affirmatively.

The survey found that the older the age, career length, and rank, the more likely respondents were to feel a generational gap.

Regarding how conflicts between generations are resolved, 71.1% answered that they "accept the other party's opinion little by little," and it was analyzed that those with higher career length and rank have a broader understanding.

The causes of generational conflicts differed by age.

The 2030 generation cited differences in work processing methods (27.4%) and a vertical organizational culture (44.1%) as the biggest causes.

On the other hand, the 4050 generation felt generational differences when standards of etiquette differed (21.6%) and identified lack of dialogue and communication (58.5%) as the biggest cause of generational conflict.

Regarding ways to reduce generational conflicts, 79% responded that a culture of mutual respect is necessary, indicating that regardless of gender, generation, rank, or career, there is a recognized need for a culture of mutual acknowledgment.

Chief Ma Jaeyoon stated, "This survey allowed us to understand employees' perceptions of generational conflicts," adding, "We will promote policies for communication among employees to create a Jeonnam Fire Headquarters without generational conflicts and plan to conduct the survey again in the second half of the year."

Meanwhile, the MZ generation (born in the 1980s to 2000s) accounts for 64.5% of Jeonnam Fire personnel. Recently, efforts have been made to foster a workplace culture of empathy and communication between senior and junior colleagues through events such as a theater contest and jump rope challenge centered on generational empathy.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.