As in many countries, German work-places are legally obliged
to overlook age when deciding whom to promote. Yet according to Jochen Menges,
one of the authors, when an ordinary worker leap-frogs a more experienced one
it can leave the latter with feelings of "anger, fear and disgust."
People tend to judge their own standing by the success of their peers, and to
see failure in being bossed about by someone younger. The relationship
between feelings of anxiety and the age of the boss is clear, according
to Mr Menges. A manager who is younger by one year is somewhat unsettling;
a gap of 20 years is far more discouraging.
German firms certainly shouldn't return to a system in which
age equals to rank. But young people tend to be sensitive about managing
upwards. And older workers should be encouraged to see the bright side of
learning new skills. Daimler, a big German car firm, says it promotes age-
mixed teams, so that knowledge can be transferred between generations. It also
supports young managers by asking retired employees to provide temporary
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