There is a lot of buzz being generated around the topic of hiring older workers. More recently, perceptions of older workers and their impact on the viability of businesses is being positively influenced, and awareness of the workforce deficits created by discrimination and ageism is slowly changing the trends of traditional hiring practices.
Columbia University of New York conducted a research survey with businesses in the city about their experiences and perceptions of older workers. The following information was taken from that study.
1. Older workers are skilled and experienced. We heard universally that older workers bring a level of experience, critical thinking and sheer knowledge that cannot be taught.
2. They stay in jobs longer and take fewer days off. Median employee tenure in 2022 was generally higher among older workers than younger ones. For example, the median tenure of workers ages 55 to 64 (9.8 years) was more than three times that of workers ages 25 to 34 years (2.8 years).
3. They have a strong work ethic. Business after business spoke about older workers being the first ones to arrive for a shift, as remaining focused throughout the day and as people who rarely miss work, even in fast-paced, physically demanding businesses.
4. They retain a business’s knowledge and networks Older workers know their way around the business and they retain the relationships with other businesses and customers in the community that have been developed over time. Consistency in service and Community familiarity are valuable assets.
5. The perceived technology gap can be overcome. Because older workers did not grow up with computers and the Internet, they can be perceived as slower or more resistant. Businesses who have expected all workers to adapt to new technology and provide support versus allowing some to lag behind, report better success, as do those who “think about the team,” pairing workers with stronger and weaker technology skills together.
6. Older workers prove that the best teams are multigenerational There is evidence that mixed age teams in the workplace are more productive than teams of workers of the same age. Older workers with experience in best practices can set positive examples to younger team members.
7. Older workers play a critical role in training the next generation of workers When you have employees with tenure and you bring new people in, you want them to be well trained in the best practices and nuances of the role they're being hired for. Seasoned employees are a great resource for training new hires.
8. They provide customers with consistency and personal attention Businesses frequently spoke about how their customers appreciate seeing long-time workers and feel that their presence sends the message that the business values its workers, its customers, and its community.
9. Older workers attract more business Older adults hold the majority of the country’s discretionary income and in cities where tourism is a large source of revenue, having older established workers tends to attract older customers who generally have more money to spend.
10. Older workers are part of the business brand Some businesses speak about older workers’ knowledge and personalized customer service becoming a part of their brand. A common perception of older workers is that the measure of service is of higher quality, older employees are more trustworthy, respectful and attentive. Some businesses pride themselves in showcasing their tenured employees because they believe the general public sees that as a measure of the businesses' value in their employees and their customers.
These are just some important aspects regarding the hiring and retention of older workers. The general consensus has been that having a younger workforce is an indication of a dynamic business that has the ability to adapt and evolve with changing business practices and new technology. While there may be some truth to that there is no reason to believe that older workers are not perfectly capable of adapting and learning new skills. After all, they've been doing it their whole lives!
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I'd hire older workers, as they're generally more stable, dependable, reliable, and work hard every day. I worked in the Auto Industry, in Sales, and Management, over 40 years. I earned a great reputation, was counted on for my integrity, work ethic, knowledge, expertise... I helped train the younger ones, even if it wasn't my"job" so to speak. I retired, not to stop working completely, but to not work so many hours. The car business can be from early morning to late at night. 7am-10pm for several years. That I wanted to retire from. Now I work a part-time job, doing deliveries. I love it. I've never had a problem getting a job. Now I do what I want. Work the hours I want to, about 5/ day,5 days a week. I worked the "can til can't " work for 40 years and loved it. Now I'm loving spending time with my wife and family more. Older workers can be a great asset to any company. Give us a chance. We will show your young workers HOW to work and enjoy whatever you're doing.
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I'm a 50 secretary or what you would call administrator these days. I worked in an extremely busy office in the auto industry which at the time was mostly dominated by men. I had customers all over the place. There was something called a tele-type line which I'm sure many of you never heard of. It was like a desk telephone w a really loud speaker that had trading partners shouting out items they were looking for and if you have it you answer, if not just keep listening. So I'm listening to that all day, customers on 4 phone lines, walk-ins and trading partners on a satellite terminal. When I first started at this company EVERYTHING was still hand written and I brought th company up to speed by transferring everything into computers that I physically set up throughout the office myself. I grew up in the age when computers were being introduced in the classroom so I wasn't completely computer illiterate. I taught myself lotus, quick books and quicken. I later took classes for Microsoft office. I could adapt myself to work any position in the company if necessary. I loved my work. Then one day the owner gives me the news that he was retiring and closing the business. It was devastating news for all of us. However I never thought it would be so hard for me to get another job, but it was. I was no longer the young pretty girl I had once been and I found rejection around every corner. Since then I've been struggling trying to work factory or telemarketing jobs. I excelled in these rolls but I wasn't satisfied. I have a brain and I want to use it. To this very day I haven't been able to find a company that's interested in a 50 yo secretary that is still energetic, experienced, loyal and dedicated. They prefer to hire a pretty face w no experience, comes in late a few times a week and does hardly anything but her nails all day. It's sad, I would get the work done correctly, on time, I would build relationships w their base and make them money. If anybody is looking, so am I. Lol. Thank You for reading. Marion M.
Ageism is live and discriminatory! I am in the thick of it! Though I have skills, I’m committed, I’m eager and able to learn & adapt and I am healthy, I’m still told no repeatedly! I I was widowed 35 years ago & as a young mother of two babies I persevered, I’ve never remarried, and never asked for anything. Now age 68, I dream of owning a small home to call my own and a modest income to add to my widows benefits.. Life is not always fair, but I’ll never stop trying, I’ll never quit! I’m worthy! I need to work! Live your best life friends!
I have 20 years experience as an In room dining server at Opryland Hotel in Nashville, Trump Las Vegas and Aria Resort and Casino Hotel in Las Vegas. I am having trouble finding a new job in the same industry. I have applied at least a dozen Casino Hotels here in Las Vegas in the past year and have only received one interview opportunity. I have an interview for the new Fontainebleau Hotel in Las Vegas tomorrow and I am hoping that the fact the hotel that hasn't opened yet will give me a better opportunity to get the position, because perhaps they will see the value in hiring a person with 20 years serving experience in the field of In room dining. Wish me luck!!!