I bumped into someone the other day who told me that they had been offered a new job. They were very surprised that they had been successful, because they were 61 and they thought their age was against them.
The UK continues to find it difficult to recruit skilled individuals to fill ever growing vacancies. More and more businesses have changed their attitudes to hiring over 50’s because they have had to!
We have heard of “The great un-retirement” and the government calling those over 50 who had retired back into the workplace. Embracing employees over the age of 50 demonstrates a commitment to diversity and ensures that the business benefits from a range of perspectives and experiences. People in later life are increasingly looking to stay in work and it is important that more businesses look for ways to support them.
Here are a few reasons that businesses should look at ensuring their recruitment processes is age-inclusive:-
- Older employees are often known for their strong work ethic and reliability and contrary to common stereotypes, older employees are often adaptable and flexible. They have witnessed significant changes in the workforce throughout their careers and have adapted to new technologies and methodologies. Their ability to embrace change can contribute to organisational growth and innovation.
- Often older individuals have reached a stage in their lives where they may not be burdened with familial or personal commitments, enabling them to fully dedicate themselves to their work. This can result in increased productivity and employee satisfaction.
- Older employees tend to have lower turnover rates compared to younger employees. They are often more committed to their careers and less likely to jump between jobs. Hiring older employees can contribute to a stable workforce and reduce recruitment and onboarding expenses.
- Older employees can serve as mentors and leaders within the organization. Their extensive experience allows them to guide and support younger employees, sharing their wisdom and knowledge.With age comes a wealth of problem-solving abilities. Older employees have faced various challenges throughout their careers and have developed effective strategies to overcome them.
- Older employees often possess excellent interpersonal skills, honed over years of working with diverse customers and clients. They can effectively build and maintain relationships, which is crucial for business success.
National Statistics found that flexible working hours, good pay and being able to work from home were the most important factors that 50-65 year olds look at when considering a return to work.
Older people are realising that they’ve got the energy, motivation and passion to work, but they want to do it in a way that suits their lifestyle. If businesses are able to adapt their attraction and retention strategies to suit the needs of this older generation then more businesses may be able to benefit from their skills and experience.