The Tribune

As healthcare improves across the world, people are living longer and healthier lives. Advancess in medicine and technology have increased the life expectancy for many persons.

More persons, then, will naturally arrive at the age of retirement and live beyond the time when they are released by their employers. But today, thousands of individuals aged 60 years and over find themselves in the workforce. The reasons why they continue to work are varied. For many, it is a matter of necessity if they are to remain financially secure and independent, while others work to stay active and engaged in their communities.

There are often mixed feelings regarding the presence of mature persons in the workplace. The commonly-expressed view is that these individuals have already made their contribution and need to head off gracefully into the sunset, making room for a new generation of workers. This mindset has unfortunately led to a growing rift between senior workers and their younger counterparts who, in many cases, are far more technologically advanced and desirous of immediate change in procedures.

Research shows that healthy work environments require a ‘passing of the baton’ from accommodating senior employees, sharing knowledge, to motivated young workers who prepared to receive vital information from their precedecessors. Where there is little to no ‘bridge building’, and each group treats the other with disrespect and disdain, efficiency is undermined.

Here are some of the positives from embracing seniors in the workplace, and responsibly helping them transition into retirement:

• Experience: The institutional knowledge that older employees bring often far exceeds the technical skills and theoretical applications that younger employees dream up.

• Loyalty: For many senior employees, work is life. They pride themselves in giving an honest day’s work. The value of hard work was deeply embedded in them.

• Stability: Older generations typically do not leave their place of employment on a whim. When they settle, they typically stay in place for the long haul.

• Work Ethic: Older persons have usually perfected their patterns and cycles of movement. They typically show up on time, and can be relied upon to be present when it counts.

• Maturity: Senior employees typically bring less drama to the workplace. They usually mind their own business and stay out of other people’s affairs. They are less likely to bring outside issues on the inside, and communicate with a higher degree of decorum and discipline.

• NB: Ian R. Ferguson is a talent management and organisational development consultant, having completed graduate studies with regional and international universities. He has served organsations, both locally and globally, providing relevant solutions to their business growth and development issues. He may be contacted at tcconsultants@coralwave.com.