The Goodwill Blog - The Power of Goodwill » Miscellaneous

So how old is old?

Janet Smith — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 17:00:50 +0000

A local community college is holding an “Employ the Older Workers” job fair today. Participating employers will be there to interview “older workers” interested in jobs in health care, customer service, and hospitality. The job fair, I read, is for those age 40 and older looking for jobs.

Did you catch that? 40? FORTY!! Maybe it’s just me, since I hit the big FIVE-OH earlier this year…but I’m really disturbed that 40-somethings looking for a job may be considered old. Sure, 40 is old if you want a job as a professional football player. But seriously. Swimmer Dara Torres at age 41 can win three silver medals at the Beijing Olympics-but my 42-year-old neighbor is so old that she needs a special health fair to find a job?

When I think of older workers, I think of the generation of workers referred to as traditionalists, who are currently age 63-83. It’s hard to even think of baby boomers as being old, though I suppose that since they’re now age 44-64, some of them may be approaching that category.

Stay tuned for more posts on workplace generational issues. It’s a fascinating subject, and I have lots to say on the subject. Starting with this statement: Forty is not old!

At what age do you consider a worker old? Leave a comment!

Another seminar opportunity

Janet Smith — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 16:44:28 +0000

Earlier this month, Frank Roche posted an entry for the KnowHR Blog called, “Let’s Put on Bad Behavior Seminars.” He suggests sessions such as, “Passive Aggressive Behavior for the Disaffected Manager” and “How to Make Yourself Look Like You’re Doing Something So You Can Keep Your Job.”

I think Frank is making one of those facetious-but-not-really statements. I mean, try finding one person who works for someone else who doesn’t have a story about bad office behavior! Sometimes it’s the boss; sometimes it’s a co-worker. Frequently it’s the boss and co-workers.

The job market is tight right now. There are some professions, such as nursing and engineering, where demand exceeds supply. But for the majority of workers in this country, finding a new, comparable job is not easy. This means that a lot of people must somehow tolerate an intolerable work environment.

Sounds like another seminar opportunity.

Bad Boss, the reality TV show

Janet Smith — Fri, 16 May 2008 16:11:19 +0000

I think there should be a reality show for bad bosses. Something kind of like Super Nanny meets The Office. A consultant (please let it be me!) would be on site, observing how the boss interacts with the staff. All the cubicles would have mini-cams, to capture the employees complaining about the latest rude thing the boss said or did. Some would cry, saying they are trying to please the boss but it seems to be impossible.

The consultant (me, hopefully) would interrupt the boss during interactions with employees. During those teachable moments, the boss would be shown how to manage people with kindness and appreciation, rather than with contempt and intolerance.

By the end of the hour, the boss would see the light and apologize to the workers for the shabby treatment they had received for so long. The boss would vow to communicate better; recognize, reward and empower the staff; nurture them; show respect; and somehow convince them that he would no longer bite their heads off if they made a mistake.

The employees would celebrate. And this time, some would cry tears of joy at the thought of working eight hours a day for someone who is actually pleasant.