Question

You are the HRD manager who happens to walk by the watercooler and overhear supervisors talking about a common stereotype that older workers find learning difficult, and therefore are resistant to change over to using new equipment. Does research from the field of gerontology support or disprove this stereotype? Explain. What two findings or recommendations do you feel supervisors should follow to ensure effective training experiences for older workers?

Answer 1

I approve this stereotype because i believe a person who has become old, is experienced in working in old technology and has his own traditional ways of dealing with things. With the coming of new age people skilled and trained in latest technology, they find their spot losing. This happens because of the rigid mentality among the elders. They believe the new methods are not as good as the old methods and thus they are not much accepting of the new and latest ways. This makes the new workers either replacing them or surpassing them.

In order to ensure effective training, the supervisors should:

1. Be patient in dealing with the older workers and make them understand step by step why we are switching to the new ways and how it would help us save both time and money

2. Do not simply throw away their ideas. The older workers also come with a lot of experience and one should value their suggestions and ways of doing things, along with suggesting them the new ones.