Older Workers: The "New" Employees

The American workforce is maturing. People over 65 will make up 25 percent of the population by the year 2050, according to the Bureau of Labor statistics. As people live longer and more healthy lives, many are opting to stay in the workforce longer or return to work way beyond the customary retirement age. As Social Security concerns increase, people are working longer to supplement retirement income. Coupled with the labor market tightening due to fewer young people entering it, companies are looking for more resources to meet their staffing needs. Progressive companies are beginning to recognize the many benefits of hiring or rehiring older workers.

The major stumbling blocks to hiring seniors are the pervasive myths and stereotypes that blind some managers and HR departments from tapping this great source of workers. Here are some of the more common misconceptions:

• Older workers are resistant to change and are slow to learn new things.
• Older workers are less energetic and have excessive health problems.
• Older workers do not have many productive years remaining prior to retirement.

The Reality

That older workers are resistant to change, particularly technological, is a pernicious misconception. Resistance to change is likely to occur in anyone, particularly if the change is not introduced well, is not supported by training, or is perceived as a threat. Older workers are no more likely than anyone else to resist new tasks or adapt to differing work environments.

Americans are living longer and staying healthy farther into old age than ever before. Older workers do not have significantly more health problems than their younger colleagues. This misconception can easily be laid to rest by checking internal personnel records. On average older workers are no sicker than younger employees.

As baby boomers move into their 50's, many have no plans to take early retirement. A solid 20 or 25 additional years of active work life is not uncommon. With that outlook many boomers are starting new careers in their 50's fully planning a quarter century of full involvement.

The Benefits

Just as companies are hiring more employees as a balance to the rash of downsizing of the 80s, organizations are recognizing that the loss of skilled and knowledgeable workers has become a problem. Hiring them back can even be a bargain as they are often more flexible and able to work part-time. Many have benefits and hence don't need a full benefits package as those with young, growing families do. Older workers often return to the workplace with financial advantages and more stability than younger applicants. Organizations benefit by gaining a great deal of experience for a smaller initial financial investment.

A recent study by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), based on 400 HR executives, revealed that older workers are rated much higher than other age groups on qualities such as experience and work ethic. Older workers were rated highly on experience, judgment, commitment to quality, low turnover, attendance and punctuality.

Older workers bring many benefits to an organization, including a strong work ethic, vast experience, and the very important elements of maturity; including a sense of humor and perspective. The ability to "hit the ground running" means that years of training about the workplace is unnecessary. Any training that is required can easily be identified, delivered, and absorbed. This is very attractive to smaller companies that need seasoned, experienced people.

Years of employment experience means that older workers bring an ability to work effectively both in a team environment and independently. Similarly, they bring excellent writing, oral communication and interpersonal skills. Older workers are dependable and less likely to need leaves for sabbaticals, family responsibilities, caring for elderly parents, or childbirth.

The challenge for most seniors is in overcoming the bias that is often found in the workplace. The challenge for employers is to acknowledge the barriers and knock them down. There is an ever growing workforce out there waiting to be tapped.