The changes in demographics may have a significant impact on the functioning of an efficient labor force. These effects may range from subtle to prominent, depending in several varying factors. This situation stems from the need to adjust the workplace practice or adopt different approaches to handling tasks in the workplace. Similarly, changes in the workforce composition affect how duties are implemented in the workplace (National Academic Press, 1999). Some changes in the demographics of the society call for a more detailed and careful approach due to the delicate nature which they possess.
Age, for instance, may affect the workplace in various ways. The introduction of a younger workforce may lead to increased productivity depending on a myriad of circumstances. It is generally believed that a younger workforce yields greater results. This is because they are more energetic than a workforce comprising of older members of society. However, assumptions have been made that the change in age has no impact on the productivity of the workforce. This is based on the difficulty of ascertaining in what way productivity is affected by a change in the age composition of the workforce (Hamm, p. 41).
Notwithstanding, age does have an effect on the teamwork. Experienced workers have acknowledged that members of the labor force work better when grouped together with their peers. This tends to improve productivity since the workers are able to relate to each other freely. This occurrence significantly improves their teamwork leading to an overall increase of productivity. It should, however, not be lost that the workforce should be evenly distributed to enhance the age balance.
Gender balance in the workplace is a highly sensitive issue that requires detailed attention (Bradley, p. 2). This is because of affirmative action programs that have been legislated to promote equality in all spheres of society. These programs are put in place to eliminate any gender imbalance that may be present in the workplace. For this reason, before changing the gender composition of the workforce, it is prudent to consider the implications that may arise out of such an action. For instance, an extreme change of the gender composition may lead to a change in group behavior that may impact negatively on the productivity of a group. Teamwork may also be affected by the presence of members of one gender group. This may be especially so in circumstances where the work involved requires the presence of both men and women to effectively co-ordinate.
Another sensitive issue is that of race. Though considered being of less significance at this point, it is a prickly issue. The race demographics of the workplace easily affect the morale of the workers who are in the minority. This, in turn, affects the productivity of the labor force by reducing the output of the minority workers due to reduced morale. Teamwork will also be hampered since the minority may feel left out, and those in the majority may form a stereotype against the minority concerning their productivity. These factors may prove detrimental to the overall output of the labor force.
The effect of demographic changes in the workplace may put pressure on the members to adjust to the new circumstances that they encounter (Howard, p. 35). It is, therefore, prudent for any changes considered being subtle in order to preserve the optimum environment for work.
References
- Bradley, H. (1999) Gender and power in the workplace: analyzing the impact of economic change. Palgrave Macmillan.
- Hamm, I. Seitz, H. Werding, M. (2008) Demographic change in Germany: the economic and fiscal consequences. Springer.
- Howard, A. (1995) The changing nature of work. Jossey-Bass Publishers.
- National Academy Press (U.S.), National Research Council (U.S.). Committee on Techniques for the Enhancement of Human Performance (1999) The changing nature of work: implications for occupational analysis.National Academic Press.