Xin Lu

E10412850

16/10/2015

2.19 What changes in employment relationships are likely to occur as the population ages? The relationship between age and job performance is likely to be an issue of increasing importance during the next decade. The workforce is aging worldwide. Employers express mixed feelings about the older worker. They see a number of positive qualities older workers bring to their job, such as experience, judgment, a strong work ethic and commitment to quality. But older workers are also perceived as lacking flexibility and resisting new technology. And when organizations are actively seeking individuals who are adaptable and open to change, the negatives associated with age clearly hinder the initial hiring of older workers and increase the likelihood they will be let go during cutbacks.
2.20 Do you think increasing age diversity will create new challenges for managers?
What types of challenges do you expect will be most profound?
Managers need to recognize and capitalize on differences to get the most from their employees. Age diversity will create new challenges for managers because of a potential age difference between a younger manager and an older employee. As technology changes, the older generational workers will be seen “as lacking flexibility and resisting new technology”.
The most profound challenge associated with increased age diversity will be integrating newer technology and practices in corporations to the older workforce. Technology these days is rapidly progressing and it will prove tough for managers to stay on top of their older employees to stay up to date with the most common practices and technology.
2-21 What can managers and employees of all ages do to prevent negative attitudes concerning age differences in the workplace?
I think age is just a number. A way in which organizations can cope with the differences related to age discrimination in the workplace could include blending older generational employees with newer ones. If older people are hardworking and open to learn new stuff and new technology, they can perfectly learn from the younger people.
But the younger people also have to be open to qualities like “experience, judgment, a strong work ethic and commitment to quality.” The older work force can help by teaching the younger work force about what it means to work hard and focusing on life skills relevant to the job can prove to be positive for a company as a whole.