Jay Leno and the "Older" Employee

Jay Leno’s exit from his 22 year stint on the Tonight Show reminds me of something that has been happening a great deal throughout America; many of our older workers are being pushed out by younger staff.

It used to be that an employee was true to a company and stayed with them, many times for his or her entire career.  The company, in return, treated him or her fairly well and appreciated his service and dedication. Not any more.

When Jay Leno ended the show in tears and said that this has been the greatest job of his life, many of us nodded our heads in agreement.  We felt that way about our jobs too. When he said that he’s lost his mom, dad and brother on the show, many of us were of the same mind. When he said that the cast and crew had become his family and that he took pride in their accomplishments, it brought many of us back too.

A company is a living, breathing organization and it has a personality not unlike the people it hires. When the times dictate changes and the older staff are pushed out it’s painful for everyone; even the staff that gets to stay.  Motivation plummets and uncertainty reigns.

The times have changed and this new approach to hiring and firing has become the norm. Unfortunately, the warmth and personality that were once hallmarks of an organization have disappeared in the name of good business sense. 

May all the older causalities of workforce reductions be as graceful and humble as Jay Leno.