27 January, 2009

"Older" Workers, Knowledge and "Institutional Memory"

In these time of recession when "turfing" thousands of employees is announced without any feeling of guilt, we must remember that older workers have Knowledge and Institutional Memory, both of which are lost when they are fired.

Michael Hiltzik's column in the L.A. Times reminds us of this.

This should remind CEOs about the Knowledge and Institutional Memory that older workers carry. This experience is irreplaceable and a policy that treats humans as "resources" equal to furniture and fixtures or equipment or building isn't very good for the organisation and is certainly not one that will endear the corporation to it's employees.