Thetownend.com

... is fucking hard. First time I've done it in my career.

Anyway, TEF'ers, my situation is this.

I'm poised to offer somebody a job in my team but they are quite a bit older than me (late 30s, I'm 25). I have a team of 4 reporting to me at the moment and 2 are around my age, 1 younger and 1 quite alot older, so the dynamic is pretty easy going.

I'm a bit wary about whether someone 10-15yrs older than me, with alot of commerical experience,is going to stomach being told what to do by a young up-start. Anyone else been in a similar situation?

What do you do?

As you've said, you already have one a bit older? Shouldn't be an issue, and if it is, don't employ him.

I recently went through something similar and the guys I've employed are fine with (although they're all in Leeds and I'm in London, maybe they continually call me a cunt all day).

I think you are in danger of displaying ageism - be careful.

I've seen this before many times, most people these days are just grateful to be working at all. You can't not hire him because of his age, so if he is the best man for the job then take him on board. I'm sure it won't be an issue. Worst case scenario he'll probably moan about you at home.

Age shouldn't really come into it, pick the one with the best experience and is suitable for the position being offered. As Chalkie says be very careful

There is a raft of age discrimination legislation that has come in to force in recent years so, as Chalky says, be careful.  To be honest, if you're managing a small team at the age of 25, something like 90% of the workforce is going to be older than you are...so you're going to have to live with it.  Age shouldn't really be a problem, in my experience.

But what are we really talking about here...your concern around the attitude of the potential recruit or your concern about your own ability to handle/manage someone who may well have a greater depth of experience than you have?

If you don't have problem with it and they are the best person for then go for it.  If this person has an issue being told what to do by a young upstart then its their problem.

When I was your age I had woman working for me who was 30 years my senior. She was a fucking pain in the arse and had zero respect for me. I intially was too intimidated to put my foot down until one day I grew a pair and started to put her in her place when needed. She fucked off eventually which was a right result cos I managed to in a get tasty bit of 20 year old skirt in as her replacement.

I've managed people much older than myself without a problem. If anything I found the younger staff to be more problematic.

Doesn't matter about age, you need to pick the person who is best and will fit in the team.

And because you're a cunt you are going to piss them off anyway regardless of age  :D

And just make sure they aren't of child bearing age and/or from Bongo Bongo Land.

The former. This might come as a complete shock but I do rather rate myself :D

I assume this is a bird you offering to DMR...

It is, Reg.

Speaking from experience of this, it's really nothing to worry about...If the dynamic suffers, well that's what probationary periods are for.

If I were you, I would seek to use their experience whenever you can - i.e. ask them for their opinions on stuff based on their extensive experience, make them feel valued for it.

The chances are that they'll then see you as a line manager who is capable of being objective and listening to those who are more knowledgeable on specific things....rather than one who thinks they know everything.

This is DMR that we're talking about...

And I do know everything :toocool:

True.

The man that thinks they know everything asking for management advice on a football forum, who'd have thought it!

And don't forget which fuel to put in Daddy's car.  Should have asked the chauffer  ;D

As do most on the TEF!  :D

Thanks for that Ronnie!

Age shouldn't come into it, pick the one with the biggest tits.

Tricky...never mix business with pleasure, if she's decent, could lead to all sorts of problems down the line.

Somehow I can't help but think of this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPu_d4SSOPk

As one of the wrinklies on here, I can say (at least from my experience) that not everyone wants to be a manager, and actually, if a younger person has the skills and the wisdom to manage well, to respect the particular gifts and experience of all staff regardless of age, and allows those gifts to be displayed without being threatend by them, then I for one would be more than happy to leave all that to someone else.  Good teams have a variety of people in them who want to do what they do best and that has little relevance to age.

However, a manager who tries to use their position to control others inappropriately, and who gets threatened, for instance, by someone who comes up with lots of new and creative ideas, will find it really difficult especially if they are also a lot younger....

Did you ask them that question in the interview (or if they have worked in that environment before)?

You should be able to guage the way they responded,.e.g. what they said, how they said it (did they stutter/fidgit) etc

Failing that, if they are the best candidate, get them on board and test them out during the induction period.

Best of luck !

I'm sure DMR just wanted to let everyone know how his high flying career is going

Bless him.

or may not be going if he fucks this one up