Blaming the young is always more accessible rather than accusing the older employees: an experimental view over age and health in organizations.

Introduction: The stereotype content model postulates that different groups evoke different emotions and reactions based on two dimensions: intention toward others (warmth) and competence.

Methods: In this study, we used an experimental design and a qualitative approach to investigate how managerial strategies are selected and motivated when a subordinate makes a work task related error but belongs to a group that is stereotypical perceived differently in terms of warmth and competence (age groups with or without a medical condition). Thus 75 employees analyzed one of the five hypothetical cases and described the managerial strategy and motivation for usage.