Understanding The Needs of Older Workers
A recent study by Manpower, Inc., the world’s largest employment services company, found that only 28 percent of US employers have a retention strategy in place for their older workers. Fewer still, 18 percent, have a recruitment program in place to find and hire aging workers.
According to the study, employers are failing to keep retirement-age employees on the payroll because they are failing to understand the needs of older workers.
Employees at or near the age of retirement overwhelmingly want to work past “retirement.” However, they want more flexible schedules, part-time hours, more vacation time and other accommodations that allow them to enjoy their golden years while still being productive.
One of the best ways for employers to keep their aging employees interested in maintaining employment, even when they are financially able to retire, is to offer continuing training and education, the study says.
What is your company doing to keep its older workers and even find new older workers who bring a lifetime of experience to the job?
Does your company value its older workers, or, as is the case in many companies, are they considered more of a payroll burden because of their high salaries and high health care costs? If you’re near retirement age, are you planning on working past your “official” retirement? If so, why?
Please contribute your thoughts on this topic by posting a comment below.
Average (Not Rated)
July 10th, 2007 at 11:58 am
i don’t think it is the companies at fault for the most part i think it is are health care system or lack thereof
July 13th, 2007 at 11:20 am
My Company does value it’s older workers if their experience and knowledge get results.
I won’t retire for at least 12 years, but I am already thinking about whether I will go out at 62 or stay on a while longer. My considerations are essentially the same as the survey results. In other words, I would keep working a while if I can work part time, with a flexible schedule and still contribute. If I can’t do it here I may look for a part-time job somewhere else.
July 18th, 2007 at 9:23 pm
I`ve Been working in weld shop`s for 9 year`s and older employee`s mean alot to younger people because they have been there and done that and know so many trick`s to the trade. The first big factory i worked in was union older people they will mature you if you are willing to learn and listen to them. Yes there insurance is a very big factor in there life so is making the money. They like using there vaction time little as possible so they can take day`s off as they need it. If it was not for the older genartion
i have no clue were i would be to this day And have a healthy family. Ya know i think they need to lower the retirement so we all can enjoy it why were still living our life`s. We have 21 people about 7 of them are about 41 and older. As the company get`s bigger and were make more money and it`s looking good were hire younger people so we can traine them to weld and etc when we hire we look long term lifer`s it`s great it is like one very big family and it is something special. So take the time and thank an older employee for evry thing we our she has done cause you never know what tomorrow will bering.
THANK YOU 4 YOUR TIME
STEVE M. HUMMELL JR.
July 24th, 2007 at 6:51 pm
The company that I am employed by hired 500 employees from 1971 thru 1975. Retirement time is on us here and now. I have been with the company for nearly 20 years and I have just in the past couple of years gotten off the bottom of the seniority list. We are a very diversified workforce and have learned to do many jobs on the shop floor unlike when I first began at the company when you worked on the same machine for most of your time with the company. Losing those that worked on the same machines for many years has put a lot of pressure on us middle agers. We weren’t on these machines a long time. We have the basic knowledge of how they work but lack the experience of trouble shooting problems and new set-ups take longer but we do our best and hopefully are respected for this. I find myself teaching new workers more than working on needed projects or learning new skills myself. Many new people learning new jobs is quite scary. Basic mistakes are made and aren’t always very obvious to new people in new jobs but this is just a hurdle and we will have more down the road but we have to stay competitive and more productive to keep the jobs we have now. Documentation of machine set-ups, audits and pictures have been great tools in helping to keep major headaches at a minimum. Kurt
November 6th, 2007 at 1:18 pm
Read the article on shortage of older welders and what this country might be facing in the future. Being a young retired welder, it could be possible for companies to hire some of us for short term work or to have some work sent to us at home to work on. This isn’t to go against any unions that could oppose it but some retirees such as myself not only have the experience, we also have some free time and possibly equipment that could be used.
I do agree that the work ethics in this country has changed terribly with our children being given everything they can think of and by placing that silver spoon in their mouths, we have created our own monsters. What do you think this country will be like when their children come of age to enter into the work force? We as Americans have created our own problems and we as humans are destroying this world every day with lazyness and greed. Our Global warming is a good example or what is happening to the good old Earth and the deaster’s in the coal mines shows the greed of big money.
What is the answer to the welder shortage of the future??? It would be the same one for any other occupation that someone would have to get their hands dirty or put out an effort. First of all, allow disipline be put back into the home. Try to convince the parents that the children should have type of responcibility at home. Try to convince the American public that we all don’t need to be so far in debt that there isn’t any routine family life and that takes the parents into the work force so much just to try to make ends meet. Maybe we should stop and take a look at what our forefathers have done to make a living and appreciate what effort it was instead of everything coming easy to us all.
November 7th, 2007 at 7:35 am
I am now 50 and have removed something from my resume, that I started metal work in 1975. The reason being potential employers may assume I am an “old” 50. I actually look rather young.
I do find that my experience is desired, especially to help younger workers learn the tricks of the trade, and for that I am grateful and willing to share what I know but at the same time learn from some younger people too.
I would like a more flexible schedule though, and possibly do some of the work at home.
I would be MUCH happier.
November 23rd, 2007 at 12:21 am
If I’d known I’d live this long I would have taken better care of myself. I’ve just turned 55 (shudder). I still work as a CNC laser operator. I have a CNC plasma cutter in my home shop. I’ve got 9 welders in my home shop, oxy,ac arc, dc arc, gasoline dc/ac arc welders, mig, tig. Either steel is getting heavier or my body is getting weaker. I hope someday to just work out of my home shop, out the kitchen door and at work. That would sure be nice. My friend tells his son I’ve forgotten more than he will ever know. That may not be quite accurate but I like the compliment. I have learned very much over the years, things that were difficult when I just started in this business are a piece of cake now. James (Steve) Polk from Continental Steel West in Tucson , AZ taught me alot about ornamental iron and I thank him from the bottom of my heart. Us old farts are walking textbooks. I hope the young people realise our value. I sure hope to work out of my home shop within the next couple of years. I’d like to just do CNC plasma art work. 20 through 14 gauge would be the heaviest I’d lift. I don’t like the idea that I’m old but I do enjoy the knowledge I’ve gained over the years. Knowledge is better than muscles. Thanks for listening guys. Kent Freelad, FineIronFurniture…..Tucson, AZ P.S. The only real welders are Miller.