Various studies show that senior citizens have the feeling of being left out by their hierarchy. Yet, this is a population of employees capable of bringing a lot to a company. So what do you need to know to optimize your senior management ?
Cohabitation with younger generations
In companies, seniors are in contact with generations X, Y and now Z. They have to learn to work together while remaining productive despite sometimes very strong differences. It’s up to the manager to ensure that this cohabitation is as harmonious and efficient as possible.
To achieve this, it must gather and motivate its teams around the values shared by these generations, which are the exchange of knowledge, the importance of human relations and the quality of life at work. Moreover, it is interesting to note that the productivity of seniors increases when they come into contact with new generations.
Senior management: combating preconceived ideas
Some managers have a negative image of the senior in the company. In their eyes, the latter would be a collaborator with too high a salary. It also has a reputation for being particularly difficult to manage.
However, when hiring a senior employee, it often happens that a candidate lowers his or her financial demands in order to obtain the position. Moreover, seniors are much more inclined to change (in terms of salary, place of residence, position, etc.) than younger generations. Moreover, a senior is well aware that the company is not a democratic place. He doesn’t believe in new or free businesses like the younger ones. He will therefore rarely be insubordinate and will respect hierarchical relationships.
Adapting management to this population
Your management will have to be adapted to the specificities of this generation. So don’t focus on keeping schedules like you would with other younger employees. Indeed, older employees have naturally integrated this constraint, and their absenteeism rate is lower than that of other generations.
Our main management advice is to motivate seniors at work. To do so, it is important to regularly exchange with them and to take their expectations into consideration. Don’t hesitate to discuss career changes with them. For example, you can make them tutors, responsible for supervising other employees. This transfer of knowledge is vital to a company’s longevity.
You will also have to take into consideration the age of the senior employee and more precisely his or her state of health at work. Indeed, age and health can become a barrier to certain physical jobs or workstations.
Remember that managing a team isn’t just about imposing your leadership, it’s about getting the best out of it to achieve the best possible results!
Join a great place to work
At SQORUS, we know how to manage and work with seniors, while respecting these best practices.
