Does This Organization Age Like Fine Wine?
A number of different practices signal that an organization is devoting effort at more fully-utilizing older individuals; considering whether these practices are in existence will help you determine whether an organization is trying to leverage this valuable resource.
Like fine wine, individuals can get better and better with age. With that in mind, many organizations have identified this demographic group as a valuable resource and labor pool. Retirees often return to the workforce at the behest of their employers, who can't afford to lose the knowledge accumulated by longtime employees, their willingness to work nontraditional shifts, and their reliable work habits, which have a positive effect on the entire work group. However, a number of organizations are still not valuing and fully utilizing older employees. To prevent an exodus of talent, employers need strategies to help retain and attract skilled and knowledgeable older workers.
Read the case below and answer the questions that follow.
Saving Dollars is a large-scale retail organization with a cost-cutting strategy. In alignment with their strategy, they are very conscientious of their labor costs. To keep labor costs low, Saving Dollars replaces some older, higher paid workers with younger, lower paid workers. Because Saving Dollars knows how much turnover can cost, they require employees to work full time and provide a generous benefits package. Their training and development department has implemented a training program for all new employees that is aimed at decreasing the learning curve for taking inventory using the store's proprietary software. This particular proprietary software is revolutionary, allowing all employees to take inventory via a custom application on their cell phones as they work their sections of the store. Managers are trained by their mentors to manage each employee in exactly the same way through applying the 'Saving Dollars Management Principles'. Employee benefits are similar for everyone, and include child care reimbursement, college tuition reimbursement, and stock options. Saving Dollars is very proud of all these benefits; combined with their innovative inventory management system and great manager training by mentoring, Saving Dollars is a great place to work.
1. Which of the following best describes Saving Dollars' benefits package?
A) It is appropriate for just a younger demographic group.
B) It is generous and is well-suited for older employees.
C) It is generous and has something for everyone.
2. Which statement best captures the way in which managers are trained to manage employees at Saving Dollars?
A) Each employee should be managed exactly like everyone else.
B) Each employee should be treated per guidelines for their specific demographic group.
C) Each employee should be treated like an individual, and managed differently.
3. How would you describe Saving Dollars' inventory system?
A) revolutionary but likely difficult for older employees
B) revolutionary and enabling for diverse employees
C) revolutionary and easy for all to use
4. Which of the following statements best describes Saving Dollars' training and development?
A) It has extensive training for new employees only.
B) It includes skill training for older employees.
C) It includes diversity training.
5. Which of the following clearly captures Saving Dollars' work arrangements?
A) They provide alternative work arrangements.
B) People can only work full time.
C) They accommodate work and family needs.
6. Saving Dollars management uses which of the components for building diversity?
A) conducting an organizational assessment
B) attracting a diverse group of employees
C) not cultivating diversity