A basic online search for millennial or Gen Z business articles yields several results. Since joining the workforce, these two younger generations have made news with conflicts, lessons, and innovative business practices.
Meanwhile, older generations and established corporate practices have been marginalised. Apps have replaced paper in the office, and new market demands have shifted teams’ focus. Age bias is one of several changes that have occurred as Gen Z has entered the workforce more recently.
Age bias targets long-term firm loyalists, not novice staff. This attitude can demotivate older generations, which is problematic. This lack of motivation may reduce team productivity.
How to combat age bias? Let’s look into it in detail.
Face Age Bias
Not everyone realises they have an age prejudice. Your supervisors and team members probably don’t consider age. That may be true, but many people automatically share their experiences with others based on age and other factors when they work with them.
Make managers aware of their biases. Humans make decisions and come up with fresh ideas based on instinct. You can help your managers improve the work environment for older workers by teaching them to recognise this gut reaction or unintentional bias.
Provide New Professional Paths
Has an elderly worker reached a job dead end? This person may want to advance but not know their options. So they have two choices:
This might result in decreased productivity when employees become demotivated and depart for jobs with competitors, leaving a vacant position.
These situations are rarely perfect. When people reach dead ends, create new career pathways to avoid either of them. Create a new path for your staff to be passionate about their professions and produce great work. Sometimes a change is good.
Continue Education
Too many age biases prohibit older workers from getting new jobs. Nearing retirement may indicate a lack of interest in skill development. They don’t get new skill-building opportunities.
Big mistake. Many older workers are excited to improve their skills and knowledge. By giving all employees, regardless of age, these possibilities, you’ll keep them engaged in your firm longer and boost productivity.
Provide Company-Wide Tech Training
Technology, like any business system, works best when everyone uses it. What if one person printed schedules while everyone else worked in the cloud? One individual with the paper copy would be out of date on revisions, causing team confusion.
If older personnel resist new technologies, you may not have paid enough attention to their training. By providing company-wide technology training, you encourage adaptation and eliminate assumptions that everyone is comfortable switching systems. Your older workers and younger millennials will feel more secure in your business management.
Your Company Can Avoid Age Bias
Recognising age bias in the workplace allows you to take steps to protect your team. Keep all generations up-to-date on your company’s technologies and offer fresh career routes and educational opportunities to engage older workers and millennials and maintain a productive staff.