Why You Should Consider Hiring Older Workers.
This is a guest post from the wonderful Lucy Rose. Thank you, Lucy.
More seniors are working now than ever before — in fact, the number of people working in their 70s has increased from under 10% to nearly 15% in the U.S. over the past 20 years, Quartz reports. These numbers are expected to grow for several reasons, including longer lifespans and financial necessity. Fortunately, business owners can benefit from hiring older workers. Senior employees have strong leadership and communication skills and can also act as important mentors to younger workers. They’re also loyal and have a strong work ethic, which can benefit any business.
Senior workers have strong leadership skills
Since they have plenty of experience and have developed strong communication skills over the years, older workers often showcase excellent leadership skills. Older employees are adept at in-person, face-to-face communication, which any successful business relies on. Young people, however, can struggle with these skills as they’re more used to communicating via texting, email, and social media. Moreover, senior employees function as great teachers and mentors that can pass on skills to younger workers. Senior employees have experience younger workers don’t; they can shed light on methods that have been tried in the past and how they can be improved.
Senior workers are loyal
Generally, senior workers have higher levels of job satisfaction. Many seniors continue working because they enjoy it and derive purpose and meaning from their work. As a result, they also typically stay in one place for longer. The Bureau of Labor Statistics found “the length of time a worker remains with the same employer increases with the age at which the worker began the job”. Median employee tenure is also higher for older workers (roughly 10 years). People aged between 55 and 64 have an average tenure of 9.9 years, while workers aged between 45 and 54 have an average tenure of 7.6 years. In addition to enjoying their jobs more, older workers also don’t have to worry so much about balancing work and family. Once their children are older, they’re free to pour more of their effort and focus into work while younger people may have other responsibilities that take them away from work.
Senior workers have a good work ethic
Older workers are typically known for their strong work ethic, regardless of there being a strong financial incentive. They did grow up in a time that idealised hard work, after all. Almost six out of ten people reported strong work ethic being one of the largest differences between younger and older employees, a survey by Pew Research Center reveals. And roughly 75% of respondents said senior workers have a stronger work ethic than younger ones. Additionally, a Randstad Work Solutions report found 90% of older people consider being “ethical” as “very important” to the workplace, while only 83% of younger workers said the same.
The benefits of hiring older workers are numerous. Their excellent leadership and communication skills, loyalty, and work ethic can be an asset to any business.
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