People over retirement age that work – should there be a name for this rising demographic?
Callum Thomas
Founder and CEO at Thomas Thor - Building and Sustaining an Inclusive and Diverse Workforce in Nuclear and other NetZero sectors
In the 1940’s someone coined the term ‘’teenagers’’, which classified people aged between 13-19 anywhere in the world and heralded the dawn of myriad products and services tailored specifically for this group. Recognising a demographic in this way does have benefits, such as better tailoring of products and services or increasing support and protection through government regulation. The fact that we are living longer nowadays means that there is a significant and widening gap between retirement and frailty. Characterising anyone over retirement age as a ‘’retiree’’ is not very useful, as the variety of needs, desires and lifestyles within this demographic is huge. Is it about time that we gave a name to the rising demographic of people over retirement age that are working and far from slowing down in life? Maybe not, I would argue.
People over retirement age who still have a desire, or a need, to work have a striking amount in common with ‘’millennials’’ (people reaching adulthood in the early 21st century). Older workers are looking for flexible hours, a workplace designed with wellness in mind and the opportunity to keep learning and have new experiences – just the things that millennials demand from prospective employers. Like other aspects of life, what goes around comes around when it comes to our needs and desires related to work. Early in our careers we generally have less responsibilities and therefore the flexibility to try different things, move around and take risks. As life responsibilities such as family and mortgages come along we favour more certainty, which generally means building roots at home and work and avoiding too much risk and change. After a while, when children grow up and mortgages are paid down, we come full circle and have the opportunity to be flexible, mobile and risk taking again. These are generalisations and other life stages, such as mothers returning to work and looking for flexible working conditions, are also part of the mix. Maybe we need a term for all people of any age who prefer to work flexibly – Flexers perhaps!
Do we really need to give a name to those over retirement age who work, or can we just recognise that everyone interested in working is equal, apart from their personal need or desire for flexibility? There are people of varying ability, drive, intelligence, temperament and reliability across all demographics, and people should be assessed for jobs on these factors and not age. Characterising those over retirement age that are working could cause more harm than good –primarily by reinforcing stereotypes related to age. Retirement age cannot be defined as a number, and neither can the age when frailty sets in, so we are better not to define them at all. Instead, why not categorise the jobs that allow for flexible working hours and working location rather than the people applying? ‘’Flex’’ jobs could be advertised such as ‘’Flex Project Manager’’ or ‘’Flex Financial Director’’, people could express their preference for a ‘’flex’’ job, and if they wanted to people could use the term to describe themselves – ‘’I am working flex at a law firm now that I have paid off my mortgage’’.
We live in an era where everyone, regardless of life stage, appreciates some degree of flexibility when it comes to work. Employers should recognise this and design jobs to match the needs and desires of as many people with the required skills and experience as possible. Imagine a world where we have a truly level playing field and no demographic gets special treatment due to age, where employers can interview candidates of all ages side by side and make objective hiring decisions based on suitability. Working towards this world sounds far better to me than endlessly carving up demographics.
Thomas Thor Associates is a leading recruitment, executive search and HR consulting organisation dedicated to the global nuclear industry – which happens to be an industry with an ageing workforce. Our mission is to help build and sustain a competent workforce in the global nuclear industry. An increasing portion of the workforce are over traditional retirement age and the industry is benefiting hugely from the skills and experience of these people. As well as fulfilling operational and project based roles, they are also transferring skills to new generations of workers. We are proud to be promoting and supporting the transition to more flexible working, in line with the needs and desires of people of all ages in the global talent pool.
I welcome your view – [email protected] (Callum Thomas, CEO, Thomas Thor Associates)
Retired
7 年Flexers seems perfect to me. Refreshing words.
Retired (sort of; would work, at least partially, 'at home')
7 年Geoffrrey hit on it and then didn't expand. It's the MANDATED (by law and/or custom) Retirement AGE! Social Security "retirement" was set up in the '30s when few people lived to 65, let alone beyond. This was basically an Economic decision - people pay in, but generally don't get much out! The US Government is (slowly) moving the SS retirement age upward, but many people that I know are working AND collecting SS retirement (partly to pay the bills!) That's fine - they earned it. The past few decades have see the disappearance of the Corporate/Union defined benefit pension and the rise of various saving/investment plans to provide for one's retirement. Many people have been caught betwixt and between in this change and find that (at least) some employment post-"retirement" is necessary. Others simply enjoy working, at least part of the time. Maybe the differentiation is between those who can (and want to) relax and those who cannot (or prefer not to).
Geoffrey Rothwell consulting with Clean Air Task Force International Working Group Fusion Cost Model Analysis
7 年The problem I am facing is that my demographic does not receive full social security benefits in the US until over 65, but there are mandatory retirement ages in international agencies leftover from the 20th century. Around the world, retirement ages have changed. So is 65 still the standard? Consider how young I feel when I am at a Zumba class in a basketball gym filled with dancing and sweating 20 somethings. To keep young learn new sports! It will keep your body young and develop the synapses between the left and right sides of your brain. So to the question: the word "senior" has become overused. A "Senior Economist" seems to be anyone with more than 10 years of experience! I had 10 years before my PhD and have 30 years after. Therefore, I propose using the word "grand"! I am now a "Principal Economist" and will be looking for a contract as a "Grand Economist" or a "Grand Econometrician"! Are there positions available for "Grands"?
Nuclear Engineer
7 年In the US, many retired industry professionals extended their time as contractors or consultants when the 2009 recession turned their 401Ks into 101Ks. It is good that nuclear still has this experience base to learn from as we go through these tougher times.
Provider of Strategic and Innovative solutions together with Voluntary and and Non-Exec Director skills to the public and private sectors.
7 年Fantastic article Callum. As a 'Baby-Boomer' I notice similarities to our younger generation. Someone's age can have a half in it, . . . Ask a youngster their age and they will say 8 and a half because it's important to them, . . . I say 64 and a half because it's important to only me. The average age in the nuclear industry is above 55, . . . There are lots of me's around still working passionately. Till we address the skills shortage adequately I will push on , . . . we all will. By way of example, NSA/N do a great job and Jean Llewellyn and team are passionate too. So all bodes well, . . . We look to government and strategic leadership in the industry, . . . just a step away.