While employers typically put most of their efforts into drawing and retaining younger employees, there is another group of potential staff that are often overlooked: baby boomers.
Employing staff aged around 60 and over can offer a surprising number of benefits to employers.
Based on independent research conducted by Nature for Seek and published late last year, candidates in this age group were found to prioritise location, workplace culture and work-life balance over salary, in contrast with younger counterparts whose focus is generally salary-motivated.
OnTalent chief executive Natasha Olsson-Seeto said to Seek that there is a set of experiences particular to each generation, and employment across these generations offers “social diversity”.
Muse Digital director Viv Farrington agreed, adding that older workers typically possess extensive experience in problem-solving and mentoring, providing valuable perspectives.
“They can also contribute to a more diverse and inclusive workplace culture, which is known to drive innovation and creativity,” she says.
Between economic pressures leading people back into the workforce, and the increase to the retirement age, those aged 60+ belong to a growing talent pool who collectively offer five key benefits to employers:
- Extensive experience – this can be invaluable when it comes to decision-making and problem solving
- Adaptability and energy – these are better attributes to focus on rather than age
- Older workers often see their last job as their final chance to make an enduring impact and are more likely to give it their all
- Older workers often stay longer than their younger counterparts. This lowers costs in both time and money in constantly finding new hires
- With age comes the confidence in admitting to knowledge gaps. The openness can create a culture of continuous learning throughout the entire workplace
Making assumptions about age can be problematic.
Employers should focus on who each candidate is and what they offer, and while some seasoned workers may be less tech-savvy, for example, they often bring a strong work ethic and a willingness to embrace new challenges, making them extremely adaptable and quick to learn.
Boomer candidates bring a wealth of experience, tend to have greater availability, and their priorities are often found to complement the creation of stable and productive workplaces.
Focusing on an individual’s skills and experience, along with their openness to learning, will ensure a rich work environment that benefits all.
