ERIC Number: ED392892
Record Type: RIE
Publication Date: 1994
Pages: 24
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
How To Manage Older Workers. [Revised.]
American Association of Retired Persons, Washington, DC. Work Force Programs Dept.
This publication focuses on the challenges to management of dealing with older workers. Section 1 addresses motivating older workers who may perceive that their opportunities for promotion and increased earnings are limited. Six principles to guide this motivation are discussed: needs can be powerful motivators; to motivate, link need satisfaction to behavior; an important first step in linking need satisfaction to performance is to set specific, challenging, but reachable goals for the employee; after goals have been set and accepted, make sure employees have the means to achieve the goals; reward achievement; and improve motivation by changing the nature of the work. Section 2 on the influence of age stereotypes on work relationships describes a study that used a series of management problems to demonstrate how age stereotyping occurs in a business environment. Strategies for identifying and overcoming age stereotypes are suggested. Section 3 on managing the older worker makes recommendations for special situations when younger managers supervise older employees. These issues are considered: communications breakdowns, status uncertainties, obsolescence problems, overcoming resistance to change, and conflict management. The advantages and disadvantages of four styles of managing conflict are outlined: avoiding conflict, compromising, forcing, and problem solving. Section 4 considers creating alternative work arrangements for older workers. Contains nine references. (YLB)
Descriptors: Adult Education, Age Discrimination, Aging (Individuals), Employer Attitudes, Employer Employee Relationship, Employment Practices, Equal Opportunities (Jobs), Leadership Styles, Middle Aged Adults, Motivation, Motivation Techniques, Older Adults, Older Workers, Personnel Management, Personnel Policy, Supervisory Methods, Work Attitudes
AARP Work Force Programs Dept., Business Partnerships, 601 E Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20049 (stock no. D13288).
Publication Type: Guides - Non-Classroom
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: American Association of Retired Persons, Washington, DC. Work Force Programs Dept.
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Note: For a related document, see CE 070 892.