We’ve been talking about the talent shortage topic for some time and it is only going to become more prominent over the next decade. The Christian Science Monitor offers this story – ‘Age friendly’ workplaces on the rise – that defines a growing strategy – making your company culture more “age friendly.” Here’s why that approach is so important:
Already, 10,000 baby boomers are turning 50 every day, a trend the US Census Bureau says will continue for the next decade. As the age for collecting full Social Security benefits climbs to 67, and as some pensions become less secure, more people will need to keep working. But many employers are still eager to see them leave in their 50s.
Clearly companies are going to have to develop strategies for tapping into the baby boomer generation for filling hiring needs in the near future until Gen Y fully enters the market.
Noting that he has observed many people’s careers at this (older) stage, he says, “They really start feeling the pressure to be pushed aside to let younger people rise within the corporation. With our youth-oriented society, lots of times we focus on a person’s activity level rather than their thought process, which you tend to get with the more mature employee.”
That is an excellent point – a common focus is the perceived slower activity level of older workers. But their experience in a myriad of situations makes them highly valuable and should be the focus of your hiring process with this generation.
The article does not delve into detail about what constitutes an age-friendly environment other than simply hiring older workers. Since hiring is a two-way street, there is one excellent suggestion for older workers to assist in the hiring process:
Mature workers have responsibilities, too, Holmes says. “We can’t just point fingers at the employers. If we don’t keep up with technology and the skills demanded by employers, they’re not going to hire us. If we’re currently employed, we need to seek training and develop opportunities so we can keep up with the changing world of work. If we’re not employed, go to a community college.”