EFFECTS OF SUPERVISOR AGE AND SUBORDINATE AGE ON RATING CONGRUENCE

Although increasing numbers of older employees are in the workforce, little research has focused on the relationship between age and both self- and supervisory performance ratings. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of supervisor and subordinate age on the level of agreement between self- and supervisory ratings. The sample consisted of 35 male and 35 female assemblers and their supervisors. Results across dimensions did not show consistent effects for any of the independent variables. The results suggest that age bias may not apply exclusively to older workers and may only be associated with selected performance dimensions. © 1991, Sage Publications. All rights reserved.