Why You Should Hire Workers Over 50

Employers may be put off hiring people aged 50 and older. This is because of a culture that focuses on youth, an increase in early retirements, and other factors. This means that employers often overlook the value of older workers in the workplace.

‍

Also, age is a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010. This means that discrimination based on age is illegal and wrong.

‍

Here’s a few reasons to hire older workers for your open positions:

A wealth of skills and experience

Workers over 50 will offer a range of skills honed over the course of their working life. In terms of both soft skills around the workplace and hard skills that can help with operations, workers over 50 have been shown to have strong work ethics and to make use of their skills and experience when starting a new role.  

‍

Established networks  

If older employees have worked in your industry before, they may have a network of contacts. You can benefit from this network. Even if a potential employee is starting a new career at 50 with your company, they may bring contacts and ideas from previous roles that provide a unique perspective that can assist in moving your business forward.  

‍

Reduced employee turnover

The average person's career path is becoming less predictable. People are now less likely to stay with one company for a long time.

‍

However, older workers are more likely to report higher satisfaction and stay in job roles longer. This helps lower employee turnover and creates a more positive workplace. In this environment, people feel comfortable and secure in their jobs.

‍

‍

Diversity in your organisation

Studies have shown that diverse workplaces are among the most productive, and an overlooked aspect of diversity is age. Having a range of ages within the workforce provides a mutual exchange of information. Older employees provide experience and wisdom, while younger employees bring enthusiasm and new ideas.

To discuss what you can do as an employer to support older workers in your organisation or provide jobs for older people, contact us or call us on 01604 704058.