Tension In Workplace

Improved Essays
Different generations “see, interpret, and evaluate events differently, and consequently act upon them differently (Adler, 2008, p.72) When communication breaks down between different ages the workplace can turn into an unpleasant and tension filled environment. When there is a lack of communication it is more likely that assumptions will be made. Assumptions can lead to misunderstandings which can lead to negative effects within an organization.
Change is a difficult process for any person in many different types of situations. The work environment can become repetitive and familiar which can be difficult to deal with. Workers who are more seasoned may be resistant or hesitant to any changes made within the work environment. Many times, older
…show more content…
Many older workers are not as technically up to date which can greatly effect efficiency and advancement in the workplace. Unlike their younger counterparts, they struggle to take advantage of the benefits of technology and the growing impact of social media. It is now common to see Baby Boomers being managed and supervised by individuals from younger generations. This can cause tension in the work environment and ultimately affect the organization itself. It can be hard for a Baby Boomer to deal with the fact they are being told what to do by someone younger than themselves. This can cause Boomers to feel disgruntle and resentful towards their younger supervisor, therefor, causing a multitude of issues. Some studies have found that “older workers are more engaged in their jobs and bring more experience to the table. But they often come with heftier price tags, as experience typically demands a higher salary and workers up in age may require more investment to bring their skills up to date – if an employer even opts to make that investment (Soergel, 2015, para.20).” The findings also suggest that older workers are not as likely to go and get new training to improve their …show more content…
Discrimination of any kind is prohibited in any working environment. Though this may be the case, discrimination still happens often in the workplace. An astounding 64% of workers say they have seen or experienced age discrimination in the workplace (Fleck, 2014). To combat age discrimination, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission enforce The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) which prevents discrimination against anyone age 40 years and older. It does not protect employees who are under the age of 40 years old (“Prohibited Employment Policies/Practices”, (n.d)). It also only applies to companies that regularly employ 20 or more employees. Some states provide laws that help against discrimination on individuals younger than 40 years

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    The statute states it is unlawful for an employer to discriminate against a person 40 years of age or older because of his/her age with respect to any term, condition, or privilege of employment, including hiring, firing, promotion, layoff, compensation, benefits, job assignments, and training (September 2008). An employment policy or practice that applies to everyone, regardless of age, can be illegal if it has a negative impact on applicants or employees age 40 or older and is not based on a reasonable factor other than…

    • 1077 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    In “Generational Differences: Chorus or Chaos? Dealing with generational difference in the workplace”, Robin Madell wrote about how does generational gap affect to the workplace, and the solutions for that. Madell points out that, people have different ways of communication and the ways of people come to work between generations. People also put labels to others for their generations. Even though people from different generations act differently in the workplace, they value the same thing.…

    • 154 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    We are experiencing an interesting period in time. We actually have about 4 different generations currently in our work force. Each of these groups were raised in different households with different standards and different ethics. While each group (your veterans, baby boomers, generation x’s and millennials) have a lot of the same attributes in the workplace, you have many different characteristics that define each generation as their own. While there are lists and lists of differences, I believe that you can dumb them down to a few categories.…

    • 904 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The main cause of this friction will be intensified by the new revolution of technology, and the different ages in the workforce. Some of the strategies to study and understand will be sending managers and people in charge of their companies to classes. This classes can teach managers, and bosses the basics of how to recognized generational differences. Another method that could help the relationship between Baby Boomers and Xers is how younger people need to learn how look for the experienced and wisdom that can offer an older employees. In the other hand older generation such as the Baby Boomer should also learn to be opened minded on the perspective that a younger employee could offer.…

    • 1128 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    The Equal Pay Act of 1963 is defined as “a labor law that prohibits gender-based wage discrimination in the United States.” (HISTORY, DATE) The purpose of this law is to provide equal pay to both men and women that perform the same jobs instead of having women feel like they are of lesser equal to men especially when they are performing the same job. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is defined as a “federal law that prohibits employers from discriminating against employees on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, and religion.”…

    • 1086 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    I believe one of the greatest obstacles in the communication process comes from the diverse communication methods used between the different generations and could possibly cause chaos in the workplace. Generation X and Millennial officer’s communication are very different from each other. Few and far between their values and beliefs are inconsistent and incompatible with each other as well. In order to understand them and where they are coming from we must understand their communication characteristics. Both of them are coming from different eras such as Generation X was born between 1965, Generation Y was born in 1980, and the Millennials were born between 1981 and 1994.…

    • 415 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Age discrimination in employment cannot be legally…

    • 1302 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Decent Essays

    Age Discrimination The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) is a federal law that protects workers and job applicants age 40 and over from age-based discrimination in all aspects of employment. The ADEA does not apply to elected officials, independent contractors or military personnel. The law does apply to: Employers with at least 20 employees, Employment agencies, federal government, State and local government (though remedies are often limited), Labor organizations with at least 25 members. In addition, every state has a law that prohibits age discrimination in employment.…

    • 410 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Great Essays

    In the Unites States of America, discrimination is defined in the following ways, and pertains to employment, law, regulation, and policy: Age Disability Equal Pay/Compensation National Origin Pregnancy Race/Color Religion Sexual Harassment Age discrimination involves treating someone poorly based on the person’s age, specifically, over age 40. It is illegal to factor in age when it comes to employment, including hiring, firing, pay, job assignments, hours, promotions, layoff, training, and fringe benefits. Offensive remarks about a person's age are considered a form of discrimination or harassment. Recently, I read that twenty-nine former employees are suing General Mills, claiming they were victims of…

    • 1783 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Age discrimination is a situation where a person, that is, an applicant or employee receives less favor because of his or her age. Discrimination has been within us for a long time basing on different characteristics that consequently allows a particular group to identify another as less credible, less intelligent and less skilled. For centuries, assuming that other people were undeserving was lightly acceptable until recent decades where discrimination was seen fatal to development. The National Age Discrimination in Employment Act was initiated and passed in the year 1967. It was after several studies by the Department of Labor that showed massive age discrimination in the workplaces all over the country (Macnicol, J. 2006).…

    • 301 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Elderly Workers

    • 421 Words
    • 2 Pages

    In fact, elderly workers can offer their employers many contributions. These contributions, according to the “Elderly Workers in the Workforce” paper by Shawn Meekhof, Kim Mangliers, and Jitendra Mishra, include lower costs due to employers hiring new employees less and older workers acting as guides or mentors to the newer employees (Meekhof, Mangliers & Mishra, 2014). By staying in the workforce longer, employers can also count on the dependability and strong work ethic of an older person as they are more likely to feel the need to work later in life to pay off any financial responsibilities they may have, or perhaps save up for their dream vacation (Meekhof, Mangliers & Mishra,…

    • 421 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Ageism In Advertising

    • 809 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Discrimination through ageism can start early on in a person’s career through improper job advertisement wording, illegal interviewing practices, and biased or corrupted selection processes. Businesses and organizations are constantly advertising for open positions and looking to hire new employees to fill their growing business needs. While they may have had plenty of training on HR policies and hiring practices, they may not be aware that they have placed job advertisements with discriminatory wording, participated in interviews where they have crossed the line in conversation or questioning, or have even made selections based on illegal criteria. Companies use many different platforms to post job listings such as websites like Monster.com…

    • 809 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Business Law 2 Term Paper Age Discrimination Act Mark Chambers November 19th, 2016 Age discrimination is a big problem in the workplace. Age discrimination is defined as treating a person less favorably because of their age. Due to this problem, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) was created to solve the problem at hand. This act prohibits age discrimination against people who are of age 40 and above. (Age Discrimination Legal Definition of Age Discrimination)…

    • 1236 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Decent Essays

    Age discrimination is where elderly or people who is 40 years of age that suffered unlawful and have been harmed by a decision affecting your employment. It is also involves treating someone less favourable because of his or her age. For example, you did not get the job because the employer wanted a younger-looking person, the promotion opportunities goes for the younger who come from other company, you had been told that you weren’t flexible in handling on new project, or you were fired because your boss wanted to keep younger workers who are paid less. When the company is downsizing, most of the people layoff were older and they keep the younger workers with less seniority and less experience. For this situation known as age discrimination that just like they only…

    • 808 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Age based discrimination in employment has become a big problem and it…

    • 1048 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays