Raylon Inc. is in the process of recruiting a new operations manager. The human resources team has narrowed the candidate list down to two candidates but cannot come to an agreement about whom to hire. Though both candidates have the relevant qualifications for the post, one will soon be 60 years old. The other candidate is in his early thirties. Rachel, a member of the HR team, recommends hiring the older candidate, citing his years of experience and leadership ability. Tim, on the other hand, strongly recommends that the company hire the younger candidate, as he is likely to be more flexible when it comes to working. Which of the following, if true, most strengthens Rachel's argument?
A) The job requires frequent travel around the company's six factories located across the country.
B) Most of the employees the operations manager will be supervising are under 30 years of age.
C) Research has shown that older workers are more prone to absenteeism for health-related issues.
D) Almost half of the company's top managers are in the 45-65 age bracket.
E) The company recently instituted a new production system that cuts waste by 30 percent.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The fact that most of the employees the operations manager will supervise are under 30 indicates that the leadership ability of the older candidate will be a valuable asset. The frequent travel requirements favor the younger candidate and work against the argument. The statistics of higher absenteeism rates for older employees favor the younger candidate. The ages of the company's top managers are irrelevant to the argument. The new technology might make the older candidate's experience worthless and would favor the younger candidate.