Submitted by: Submitted by caicaiwoshishei
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Category: English Composition
Date Submitted: 06/16/2014 10:43 AM
THE CASE OF SCHECHTER AND LEE
For most of his 37-year career, Stephen Schechter reported to bosses older than himself. For six years, he was the boss in charge of his own public relations agency. Then, a year ago, Schechter accepted a position as vice president of 5W Public Relations in New York City.
His new boss, Chief Executive Officer Ronn Lee, is young enough to be his son.
“This is dramatic,” Schechter said of the role reversal. “It’s interesting, exciting and challenging.”
“Steve is older than my parents,” Lee said. “He has a lot of years of experience that I don’t have.”
Welcome to the 21st century version of the generation gap. As older individuals delay retirement or return to the work force, lured by the need for a paycheck or the desire for productive activity, they’re increasingly likely to work for someone younger.
A coming shortage of skilled labor will also push employers to hire14 million older workers by 2020 according to the U.S. National Commission for Employment Policy. And that’s only in the U.S.
No one pretends these arrangements are easy. Younger bosses may harbor stereotypes that older employees are not creative or that they resist change. Older workers may regard their younger supervisors and bosses as arrogant or less loyal to the company.
For Schechter and Lee, their 30-year age difference became part of the discussion during Schechter’s job interview.
“He brought it up,” said Lee, who considers Schechter’s age an advantage. “As a young entrepreneur, I need to have smart, successful people around me who can provide me with a variety of insights, regardless of age.
Schechter says his initial challenges included learning to work within the boundaries Lee has set for the agency and the staff, and being able to fit in with young colleagues.
“I’m learning a lot from him and from the younger people here,” Schechter added. “If anything, it’s really energized me and made me feel younger.”
Not everyone though...