There’s anecdotal evidence that some companies believe, that if they hire older workers, it could stunt their company’s growth. This practice is pervasive especially, in the tech world where it has become synonymous with youth. However, technology is never created nor consumed exclusively by young people.
Here are 5 reasons, from an article by Maryalene LaPonsie, that will make you rethink your company’s hiring policy when it comes to older workers:
“1. Older workers have experience
An obvious benefit of older workers is the experience and skills they bring to a job. “You’ve got someone who can solve your problem today,” says Kerry Hannon, an AARP jobs expert and author of “Getting the Job You Want After 50 For Dummies.”
Hannon, 55, says employers may have legitimate concerns about older workers being behind the curve when it comes to technology, but those skills can be taught. On the other hand, no amount of training can give a younger worker the wisdom gained through 20 or 30 years spent in the field.
2. Older workers have confidence
Perhaps as a by-product of all that experience, older workers are often more confident than their younger counterparts. Hochkins says the firm that hired her at age 52 did so after several failed attempts to have younger workers do the same job, a job that required convincing CEOs and executives to get on board with a particular initiative. “They had also hired some 20-somethings, but they weren’t having much luck because they didn’t have the finesse needed to get the job done,” she explains.
3. Older workers provide reliable service
In 2014, the Society for Human Resource Management asked HR professionals what they considered the top advantages of older workers. Experience was No. 1 on the list at 77 percent, followed closely by maturity/professionalism and a stronger work ethic – traits chosen by 71 percent and 70 percent, respectively, of 1,913 survey respondents.
4. Older workers are loyal
Workers older than age 50 may be more loyal. This may be particularly true for new hires who are grateful for the job. “In general, older workers love their jobs more than younger ones,” Hannon says. A 2013 study by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found 9 in 10 workers older than age 50 are somewhat or very satisfied with their jobs. Meanwhile, according to the 2014 Conference Board Job Satisfaction survey, only 3 in 10 workers younger than age 25 could say the same.
5. Older workers can save money
An experienced worker can hit the ground running and be effective immediately. They also may have advanced critical-thinking skills that can help them make good decisions quickly. Hochkins notes she saved one company $5 million in inventory costs, and she questions whether a less experienced worker would have been able to identify where changes within the organization could be made.”
Bottomline: When business executives are hesitant about hiring an older worker should consider the 5 reasons above. Having an age-diverse workforce makes sense for most companies. Hiring older workers, means you won’t have to deal with the costs of high turnover in a more youthful workforce vs. the benefits and experience mature workers will bring to your company.
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