Do you mind if your supervisor or boss is younger than you?

Irishguy16 · 27-02-2015 7:20pm #1

it bothered me a little bit in my last job, as my supervisor was 4 years younger than me. Even though I was better qualified, she still ran the show, mostly due to the fact that she was working there longer.it took a while to getting used to, she was 21, I was 25, and it became annoying after a while, particularly when she had her weaknesses, she could cover them up based on her position. I didn't like it, but there was nothing that I could do at the time.

Do you think that age is a problem,particularly when it comes to management positions? Do you think that there is a lack of responsibility involved with a younger supervisor?

efb · 27-02-2015 7:22pm

No. At the moment they are not. They are 10 years + older tho

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1 · 27-02-2015 7:25pm

Not in the slightest. At one point I was much younger than the staff reporting to me. By the time I retired my managers were up to 25 years younger than me. I don't see why it should bother anybody.

Riddle101 · 27-02-2015 7:25pm

I don't think age is a problem, if the supervisor is qualified for the job and shows he/she is able to take up the responsibility. Age shouldn't be a measuring stick, that's childish if you ask me.

corner of hells · 27-02-2015 7:25pm

My supervisor is God , he's older than me.

bodice ripper · 27-02-2015 7:25pm

I had an apprentice who was 7 years my senior.

Thankfully that didn't put a chip on her shoulder so she learned and advanced.

Uriel. · 27-02-2015 7:25pm

It makes no odds to me either way. Mind you I have never had someone younger than me as my manager. In all of my jobs so far I have been older than all of the staff I manage. In some cases thirty odd years. Staff have never had a problem with that, at least in so far as I know. But then I see myself as good manager of people and know how to deal with staff respectfully. Tis all about the team work to be honest

somesoldiers · 27-02-2015 7:26pm

As along as its not a woman I don't mind. Women become power hungry maniacs

Kintarō Hattori · 27-02-2015 7:26pm

My current boss is younger but I don't have an issue- why would I. He's a far smarter and more capable chap than I.

Maximus Alexander · 27-02-2015 7:28pm

I don't think it would bother me if they were good at their job. But it would be more fuel on the rage fire if they were bad at it.

Nabber · 27-02-2015 7:29pm

4years is nothing op. You sound like somenoe she doesn't want on the team.

Raging_Ninja · 27-02-2015 7:31pm

Last year I was 28, telling a man in his late 40s what to do and how to do it (working in software). I don't know how he felt, but I felt sad for him.

Later, I had to recommend letting him go, but (thankfully for my conscience) he left of his own accord for personal reasons.

Shurimgreat · 27-02-2015 7:34pm

If they have got the job fairly and know what they are doing, then no.

If they got it through nepotism or licking the right people, and are clueless, then yes. This happens a lot by the way, particularly in family run businesses.

Senna · 27-02-2015 7:41pm

I had a years work placement from college and had staff 20 years my senior showing me the ropes, after leaving to finish college for a year I was back as their manager. I don't think it ever bothered anyone, I still have staff here 20-30 years my senior, no-one bats an eyelid.

PizzamanIRL · 27-02-2015 7:45pm

I couldn't help but think "I was on this earth before you were even a thought in your parents mind and you're ordering me around!?"

Age doesn't matter in the workplace though

K4t · 27-02-2015 8:13pm

PizzamanIRL wrote: »

I couldn't help but think "I was on this earth before you were even a thought in your parents mind and you're ordering me around!?"

Age doesn't matter in the workplace though

Are you in the army? A good manager delegates responsibilities to and cooperates with their staff.

Littlekittylou · 27-02-2015 8:33pm

Irishguy16 wrote: »

it bothered me a little bit in my last job, as my supervisor was 4 years younger than me. Even though I was better qualified, she still ran the show, mostly due to the fact that she was working there longer.it took a while to getting used to, she was 21, I was 25, and it became annoying after a while, particularly when she had her weaknesses, she could cover them up based on her position. I didn't like it, but there was nothing that I could do at the time.

Do you think that age is a problem,particularly when it comes to management positions? Do you think that there is a lack of responsibility involved with a younger supervisor?

That is different.

The_Valeyard · 28-02-2015 3:27pm

Once they pay me I do not mind!!

CrazyRabbit · 28-02-2015 5:29pm

Age doesn't matter. I ignore all bosses equally.

Ave Sodalis · 28-02-2015 5:36pm

I instruct every so often and I find it's usually the older people who are more respectful and listen better than the younger ones. I know instructing isn't quite the same but it's still a position of power over someone and since not listening to me can put the students in a potentially very dangerous situation, I need to be respected. I've had one person younger than me who supposed she knew enough to start instructing me... Not sure if that was a tribute to my teaching that she felt so confident or a failing that she thought she knew more than she really did...

boobar · 28-02-2015 5:51pm

It wouldn't bother me...

I've been managing teams for over 10 years, I've been in my current job for over 2 years managing a large team and it's just dawned me that I'm the second youngest in the team.

It hasn't been an issue

cassid · 28-02-2015 6:59pm

I am younger than the staff I manage, some of in their 60's. I always treat them with respect and fairness, and am a bit of a softy, better in the long term for an easy life.

Our group go out for meals and the last meal out I had to bring two of the oldies home as they got twisted on wine, that was a bit weird dropping drunk grannies home.

Santa Cruz · 28-02-2015 7:30pm

cassid wrote: »

I am younger than the staff I manage, some of in their 60's. I always treat them with respect and fairness, and am a bit of a softy, better in the long term for an easy life.

Our group go out for meals and the last meal out I had to bring two of the oldies home as they got twisted on wine, that was a bit weird dropping drunk grannies home.

Oooooh a granny sandwich. Did they leave their teeth in?

Shenshen · 28-02-2015 10:04pm

My current manager is a little younger than me, I never actually thought about that before. As long as they're competent in their job, I don't see that it would matter at all.