Can "Boomers' be Viable "Top Grading" Candidates?

Although most "Boomers" understand the advertisement meaning of words such as "upwardly mobile", "promotable", "possess growth potential", etc. as words to indicate "over 45 need not apply"; they still can be very valuable to "plug up" the wholes in experience and "getting the job done". If corporate Talent Managers could begin to realize the value "Boomers" have in reducing the attenuation curve as mentors to those meeting the "age" criteria and that as more "seasoned" professionals they can provide immediate support while the "youngsters" actually learn something that is of value; the "Boomer" could very well fit into the "Top Grading" scheme.

If you listen to managers in various functions within corporate America where "youthful" workforces are actively sought and courted unashamedly, you will hear of the frustrations due to the lack of productivity and internal dysfunction the young people are creating. Absenteeism is rampant among the younger set as they do not have the same work ethic as those "Boomers" who were in the jobs before them. In addition, this group of Young Americans never experienced "failure" since their parents, (those "Boomers"), protected them from any negativity. Not only does the younger set have difficulty handling accountability, a number actually bring their "helicopter hoovering" parents into interivews and disciplinary sessions to negotiate and / or argue with the Human Resources Manager. This actually happened when I held a Chemical Plant Human Resources position. I had called in one of the Process Operaters to discuss his absenteeism and he had his mother with him under the "Weingarten Rights". I told him that his "Weingarten Rights" were preempted by the collective bargaining agreement, that his union was his "sole representative" and that his mother could wait outside until his union representative arrived.

At least there is a "silver lining" on this little cloud of progeny, there is the next crop of young Americans on the horizon, the Millennium Kids. This group of youngsters will start showing up in the labor force in another 10 years. What is so positive about them? Number 1: there are more of them and Number 2: they have much the same work ethic as the "Boomers". So until then, it would behoove Corporate America to not pass over that "Boomer" too quickly for he or she just might make the difference in achieving the corporate goals more efficiently and productively while the current younger set down load music to their I-Pods.