The Over 50 Employee

Last month we shared our opinion on the power of hiring Gen-Z staff. Now, we’re putting the spotlight on the untapped potential of the over-50 employees. UKHospitality recently published a guide titled, “Hospitality Guide To Recruiting Workers Aged 50+”, and it confirmed what we’ve long known about this hardworking generation of go-getters.

Our favourite part of the guide is a section dedicated to eradicating ageism through myth-busting. For example, some employers believe older staff are more likely to take sick days due to age-related illness. MYTH. Compared to their younger team members, older workers are half as likely to use sick days; only 25% of over the 50s used sick days in 2014, compared to 50% of staff aged 20 – 30.

Another myth: older employees just want to cruise along until they can retire. BUSTED! A whopping 91% of older workers surveyed stated they still wanted to advance in their careers. That means the over-50s hospitality workforce is actively seeking skill enhancement, training opportunities, leadership pathways, and promotions.?

At the end of the day, a functional workplace needs diversity — including a range of ages. The fresh ideas and unbridled enthusiasm of Gen-Z are balanced by the wisdom and experience of 50+ staff. In between those bookends, there’s an age spectrum full of staff that each bring their own unique generational insights and benefits. An inclusive workplace always wins, and that’s what we strive for at Remote Personnel.??