When we talk about jobs, it's usually do you have one or not. Often overlooked our some of the changing dynamics within the workplace and demographics are playing a key role.
A new CareerBuilder survey finds that 43% of all employees are reporting to a boss who is younger than they are. More than half of workers aged 45 and older are in the same position and almost 70% of those 55 plus have a younger boss.
Now you may think the nation's high unemployment rate is the blame for these budding leaders. However, that's not the case. The latest government data shows that older demographics especially those over 45 have lower unemployment rates than the national average during the past year when the jobless rates bite.
Meantime the Americans 25 to 34 years old are dealing with unemployment rates well above the U.S. average and that means the average age of the job force has increased, so the percentage of middle-aged and older people in the work force has increased.
Although CareerBuilder found the younger boss, older worker situation doesn't cause significant problems there are some challenges that do crop up frequently. Frustrations can arise when younger bosses are acting entitled when they micromanage, when they favor younger workers or don't give enough direction.
CareerBuilder offers some advice for mature workers dealing with these challenges including adapting your communication to fit better with technology and trying not to make assumptions about younger workers. But regardless of who your boss is, keep in mind that you have one. There are 14.8 million Americans that would just like a job no matter the age or...
Glossary
Demographics: information about a group such as the people who live in a particular area
CareerBuilder: CareerBuilder.com is the largest online employment website in the United States.
Budding: beginning to develop
Crop up: If a problem crops up, it happens or appears suddenly and in an unexpected way.
Micromanage: to organize and control all the details of another person’s work in a way that they think is annoying.
