Older Workers

 Your “Diversity, Equity & Inclusion” program needs to actively include older workers! It already does, you say? I beg to differ….corporations in the northeastern and southeastern parts of the US, NJ in particular, are doing a poor job of hiring and keeping older workers (see WSJ article entitled “Worried About Ageism? Where You Live Matters”).

Older workers may be paid a bit more than their younger counterparts but we’re worth it. Why, you may ask? We bring many things to a team that others may not and we are way more tech savvy than you think. I have hired older people for many roles and have not been let down by any of them. 

So, here is my reasoning (in no particular order):

·        If you don’t know history, you are doomed to repeat it. Older workers have “been there, done that”. We have the ability to tell a team that yes, we’ve tried that before and it didn’t work. But we don’t stop there. We can tell you why it didn’t work and what can be tweaked to make it work. We bring solutions, not problems, to the table.

·        Many times, older workers come up to speed more quickly than others. Why? Because we know the process (buzz words may change but the work itself does not) and understand what is important to have a successful outcome. Most of the older workers I’ve hired have come to me within a few days asking for “real work” to do. They’re tired of reading the online manuals and want to dig into the work and meet their business partners.

·        We are way more tech savvy than you give us credit for! I would pit my technology skills against many younger workers. Remember, I was involved in my field early in the advent of desktop computers in the workplace. I may even have designed and programmed electronic business systems that were precursors to what is used today. Our learning didn’t stop just because we’ve had more birthdays than you have. So, yes, we can use email, the Microsoft Office Suite, Zoom and any other software application or EDI you want us to use.

·        We make terrific team managers not only because we know the business but also because we understand better than most that work/life balance is important. What I want on my tombstone isn’t “Here lies the body of Cathy, who came to work even though her kid was sick”. I’d rather have mine read “Beloved daughter, wife, mom and grannie” and would work hard to ensure that my team has the same outlook.

·        You may think that I’m not worth training because, after all, I’ll just leave in a few years’ time. My comment here is that many in the younger generation tend to “job hop” (as we used to say). An older worker would likely stay with you for at least as long as their younger counterparts….it’s hard to find another gig!

·        And finally, there’s no need to have the “where do you want to be in five years” discussion! I no longer want to be the CEO. I want to be on the beach with a mojito in hand!