Question

a) Gather information about an organisation as it relates to the type of organizational culture, their perspective on diversity within the organization and the challenges of managing an age-diverse workforce. (b) Write short notes applying models and concepts of diversity and culture to the organizational situation. Analysis: An analysis of the benefits and challenges of managing an age diverse workforce how leaders effectively manage these challenges.

Answer 1

The company being considered is Google

Organisational Culture- The organisational culture in Google is unique. The Google hiring process promotes diversity. This is because there is no single hiring manager. Hiring decision is taken at multiple levels. This promotes diversity as people are evaluated on multiple parameters to ascertain if they are a fit into Google’s unique organisational culture. The initial interview is technical followed by tests which evaluates quick thinking prowess and ability to take decisions under pressure.
The concept of an age diverse culture is that age would not be considered as a bottle neck for hiring provided other attributes are acceptable. An age diverse organisation will have an open culture for leadership hierarchy considerations . This is because age cannot considered a benchmark for leadership positions . Google’s environment is purely a talent based organisation where reward and recognition is on merit .
The benefits of an age diverse organisation is that you do not miss out on hiring any talent because of age as a factor.
The shortfall of having such a culture is ego clashes may hamper working environment as older and more experienced people may not be able to accept younger people as bosses .

Leaders have to manage this by integrating it with the culture of the organisation. If age is not a criterion at all it would be accepted sooner or later as this would become a norm.