In this day and age, many employers are hesitant to hire older workers. Experienced employees cost more to retain, creating budget concerns for hiring managers. There are also some concerns about having to train older workers to use new technology. If you are hesitant to hire experienced workers for these reasons, fear not. Hiring people who are close to retirement age can actually be a good thing for your company. Here are five reasons why.
1. People Skills
Older workers have a lot of experience handling tense situations and resolving tough problems. An older employee is also less likely to be working for the money and more interested in having opportunities to interact with other people. If you need help handling customer service issues, an older employee may be the perfect person for the job.
2. Work Experience
Older workers have spent decades in the workforce, so they usually know how to behave in a professional manner. When you hire older employees, it's rare that you have to tell them to dress appropriately or show up at work on time. Older workers understand professional norms, making them easier to manage. Because older workers have a lot of experience, they are also less likely to make costly mistakes. It may cost a little more to hire an older employee, but the cost is well worth it if that employee helps your company avoid major errors.
3. Industry Knowledge
Experienced employees have a lot of industry knowledge, which comes in handy when you have a tough problem to solve. The right combination of knowledge and experience tends to make older workers more innovative and better able to handle problems as they arise.
4. Mentoring Opportunities
Pairing older employees with younger workers creates valuable mentoring opportunities within your company. Young workers can learn a lot from their experienced counterparts, and there are also a few things older workers can learn from working with young people. A strong mentoring program fosters positive relationships between the two groups, reducing workplace conflict and making your company a better place to work.
5. Loyalty
Millennials make great employees, but they tend to move around a lot. It's not unusual for a young employee to work for three companies in a five-year span. Older workers, however, grew up with the idea that you're supposed to be loyal to your employer. If you hire older workers, they are likely to stay with your company for several years, reducing turnover and making it less expensive to hire replacements.
If you are worried about hiring older workers due to the perceived cost of retaining them, you may want to rethink your position. Older workers may want higher salaries, but they bring a lot to the table in terms of industry knowledge, technical skills and loyalty.
Photo courtesy of stockimages at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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