The Great Unretirement – Will You Look to “Older” Workers?

by Peter Cosgrove, MD of Futurewise Ltd.

Do you like hanging around with old people? It seems like an odd question, but I was asked it in the context of the “great unretirement” with more pensioners re-entering the workforce. A recent Central Statistics Office survey found that people aged 65 and over are joining the workforce at the fastest rate of any age cohort in Ireland. I hate to break it to anyone reading this, but you are old….it is just relative. Old is generally anyone 20 years older than you, so if ask an 8-year-old they will point at someone at 28 as old. It does however, highlight how organisations are now facing a workforce with five separate generations in it.

For many pensioners, returning to the workplace has something to do with economic factors and living longer, however, for many the economic factor is outweighed by wanting a sense of purpose and connection in their daily lives. What are the benefits for employers dealing with so many generations in the workplace?

Contented workers: They are generally more contented, motivated workers. They work because they want to, which we do not typically say about other generations. Therefore, they need less management and motivation, just guidance and direction. Contrary to stereotypes, they take fewer days off and have less pulls on their time, because if they have had kids, they are now grown up. They also are less likely to be asking for a pay rise!

They bring great skills: Employers see the value of the soft skills older workers bring can be a valuable asset to any organisation. With more and more communication built for efficiency and not effectiveness, some of the life skills they have around listening, coaching, writing, networking are very valuable and one many employers want them to pass down to the younger generations.

Diversity: In many product organisations employees make products for people like them. Seeing many generations in the workforce reminds them that not everyone is like them.  IDEO a global design and innovation company, famously hired Barbara Beskind at 90 years old, as a designer and she supports the design process for the aging population.

It is not all perfect however, as many argue that it can be tricky to manage a cohort of the workforce that do not need to be there and maybe do not want to push to certain deadlines. There is also a technology gap which while it can be overcome may take time. No generation of workers is perfect, but the growth of returner programmes highlights that many organisations are widening the net.

For some one looking to get back into the workforce at a later stage in life, do remember ageism still exists and going through the traditional route of sending in a cv will have low results. The good news is you have a network of over forty years – use that.

About the author

Peter Cosgrove leads Futurewise and is an expert on future trends and a much sought-after speaker on talks related to the future of work. He has over 25 years business experience on executive teams as well as on not for profit boards as board member and Chairman. He has been Chair of Junior Achievement Ireland, the National Recruitment Federation and currently serves on the 30% Club Steering Committee tackling gender balance and is Vice Chairman of Aware, a leading mental health charity. Peter has served as a Board adviser for a number of Staffing organisations and has been a contributor to the Expert Group on Future Skills.