to think wisdom and life experience have become undervalued in today's workplace

[Homethroughthepuddles]

I see so many younger people flying up the ladder, leapfrogging over older colleagues. They are usually very bright and well educated and often have far superior technological skills than their older counterparts.

However, a lot of them are also unrealistic and inflexible in the way they manage staff. They assume one size fits all HR policies and programmes and initiatives, with a 'computer says no' element, are the way to go and tend to prioritise short term efficiency over everything else. A lot of them just haven't had the life experience to empathise with the many different situations and variations of circumstance that should be taken into account when dealing with staff. As a result they can demotivate and undermine employees and create difficult and unco-operative workplace environments.

AIBU to think that there is a lot to be said for giving regard to wisdom and life experience when considering promotions to senior management positions in the workplace?

Depends on the workplace. In my office where I manage a team, if you aren't 'computer says no' you will get in trouble. They want everything done by the book every time for 'fairness' but actually to cover their arses at all costs.

I get what you mean about short term efficiency. I think it's because fewer people stay in one job long-term now, so people are very focused on making a short-term splash of improvement to give them something for their CV when they want to move on. Better progression of salaries within companies would help that, as I find most people move because pay stagnates.

YANBU. I find a lot of workplaces are becoming increasingly inflexible in relation to sick leave, time off for family issues etc. Every decision seems to have to fit with some computerised policy with no lee way for middle managers to make decisions on a case by case basis, or bend the rules or show a bit of compassion.

It's robotic and unpleasant. I also often see that attitude reflected in some of the responses to work related issues posted on here. Some posters really seem to have a stepford wife approach to HR. You will often seem an OP upset because, despite regularly staying late, the one time they arrived to work late they were pulled up on it. And many posters will admonish them and tell them 'you're paid to be at your desk at 9, so you should be at your desk at 9.'

I am very glad I am not a young person starting out in the workplace as it seems to be becoming a very intransigent place.