How Can HR Recruit and Retain The Over 50s?

Amid the war for talent, there is increasing recognition of the value and experience that older workers bring to companies. As the demographics of the workforce evolve, it is essential for HR managers to adapt their recruitment and retention strategies to ensure the inclusion and engagement of those over 50.

With Generation Z employees expected to make up a third of the workforce by the end of the decade, many companies will naturally place a strong focus on the demands this demographic places on their employers. However, some industries are suffering from older workers taking early retirement, exacerbating talent shortages. Additionally, younger workers are missing out on invaluable skills and knowledge transfer that they would benefit from working with their more experienced colleagues. The loss of this population also negatively impacts company culture as fewer diverse perspectives and experiences are offered.

In this blog, we explore how HR can encourage people in this age group to return to work, avoid age discrimination, and prevent bias in hiring.

Encouraging those over 50 to return to work

Flexible work options:
Offering flexible working arrangements, such as: Reduced working hours, part-time work or job-sharing opportunities can attract experienced professionals seeking a better work-life balance.

Training and skills development:
Offering upskilling and reskilling opportunities can enable older workers to adapt to new tasks and technologies, increasing their confidence and employment prospects.

Mentor programs:
Establishing mentorship programs that pair older employees with younger colleagues promotes knowledge transfer and creates a supportive culture that values the contributions of older workers.

To create a fair and inclusive work environment in which older professionals want to work and stay, companies must actively prevent age discrimination both in the workplace itself and in the hiring process.

Avoiding age discrimination in the workplace

Raise awareness:
Regular training of employees and managers about age discrimination, its effects and legal obligations can promote a culture of awareness and understanding.

Revision of policies and procedures:
Human resources should review and update their policies to eliminate age bias and ensure equal opportunities for all employees throughout their careers.

Encouragement to report:
Establishing clear channels for reporting age-based discrimination and providing appropriate support mechanisms for employees who experience discrimination will help ensure issues are addressed promptly and effectively.

Preventing age discrimination in recruiting

Remove age-based criteria:
Avoid including age-related requirements in job advertisements, as this can discourage older applicants from applying. Focus on skills, qualifications and experience relevant to the job.

Diverse discussion rounds:
Create panels that consist of people from different age groups to minimize unconscious bias and ensure a fair evaluation process.

Age-blind CV screening:
Implement anonymized hiring processes that remove age-related information from resumes in the initial screening phase. In this way, applicants can be assessed solely based on their skills and experience.

As the workforce ages, it is imperative that HR professionals adapt their practices to effectively recruit and retain those over 50. By implementing inclusive policies, raising awareness of age discrimination and eliminating bias in hiring, companies can capitalize on the wealth of experience and skills that older workers bring. Creating a diverse and inclusive workforce not only benefits the individual employee, but also contributes to the overall success and growth of the company. By valuing and leveraging the talents of those over 50, HR can drive positive change, promote a culture of age diversity in the workplace and reduce the risk of a talent shortage.

If you would like to find out how your recruitment and retention processes can benefit from the power of all-in-one HR software like IceHrm, schedule a demo with our friendly team of experts today.