Public Relations and CommunicationsProfessionals
Would you hire someone over 45? A Debate
Would you hire someone over 45? This topic has created a lot of stir over a number of social media circles. As part of our upcoming forum on Wrokplace Diversity we haveincluded an interactive debate just on this topic.The debaters will each put forward their arguments about age discrimination in theAustralian workplace, and then the floor will be opened to questions from theaudience.Facilitated by: Ruzika Soldo, People and Culture Manager, University of New SouthWalesDebbie Sonin, Managing Director, D.K. Sonin & Associates and Heidi Holmes,Managing Director, Adage.com.au will take part in this debate.Also hear about:* Building diversity requirements into the recruitment process* Creating an inclusive and harmonious organisational culture* Making the business case for diversity and flexibilityWorkplace Diversity in AustraliaWhere the bloody hell are we?24-25 May 2012Sebel Surry Hills, Sydneyhttp://www.arkgroupaustralia.com.au/Events-E011WorkplaceDiversityinAustralia.htm Hear from our expert panel of speakers from:* University of New South Wales* Railcorp* WDS Limited* University of Western Australia* Clayton Utz* D.K. Sonin & Associates* Adage.com.au* Corrs Chambers Westgarth* People + Culture Strategies* Disability Employment AustraliaOfficial Linked In Group:Diversity Asia Pacific Linked In:http://www.linkedin.com/groups?about=&gid=3516810
Katie Bratland• I'd be interested to hear how the debate goes. As someone enteringthat demographic, it's sad to think that we even have to engage in this conversation.Individuals at this age have such a wealth of knowledge and experience to offer andorganization. I hope to hear some positive results from the debate. If possible, please post a link to a page that will show the outcome.Ed Gruber • Pity there's even a discussion re: this topic. Whatever happened to hiringthe best person for the job?But, in support of at least seriously considering seniors, the following from Senior Magazine Online:Employers are now starting to figure out what seniors have known all along - Seniorsmake great employees!Why hire seniors?Seniors have had to learn to adjust to life's circumstances. In most cases, they havelearned adaptation techniques that their younger counterparts will not develop for years to come. Here are just a few of the things you will discover about hiring seniors:Seniors are a very loyal market that comprises 25% of the population, is growing, andcontrols 77% of the financial resources in the United States? Many of your customersare over age 50. Hiring seniors also shows that you are interested in serving thismarket.For the most part, your clients are far more comfortable with people that are their ownage. Since many businesses don't put seniors out in front where they are visible, doingso will make your business stand out. Hire senior employees to attract senior customers away from the competition.Seniors are generally more reliable. They've done their job-hopping and they don'thave sick kids at home or have to make an emergency rush to the school to pick upJunior who has a fever.Seniors take their jobs more seriously. They understand that jobs for seniors are a bitharder to get, and therefore, their jobs are worth more to them. How much does it costyou to hire and train an employee and how much does it cost you if you have to fire
someone? Your turnover rate is lower with seniors and so therefore, your employeeacquisition and training costs are cheaper.Seniors know that every job isn't perfect and have had the experience of working withand for people that aren't perfect. They also know that your customers are not perfect,and have had to learn to deal with it all. Seniors rarely leave jobs because things arenot perfect.Seniors are generally cheaper to hire, even if you pay them a higher wage. For all thereasons mentioned here, seniors stay at one job far longer than do their younger counterparts, they have more experience to draw from, and are therefore, easier totrain.While seniors are no strangers to romance, they aren't pining away over and flirtingover at the water cooler or in the hallway with the latest hire. Emotionally stableemployees work better and are more reliable.Seniors haven't gotten so many years behind them without learning some veryvaluable lessons. These are lessons that some new kid with the lip ring won't evenknow about for another 20 years.Seniors who are on Medicare are cheaper to hire. Even if you provide them with aMedicare supplement policy, it is far cheaper than a full insurance HMO or PPO.Seniors may not be as strong or as fast as some of their younger counterparts.However, if you provide them with the proper tools and a bit of assistance for thoserare heavy tasks, they will probably get the job done faster, better, and without thesupervision that would otherwise be necessary.Seniors still remember and understand the effect of common courtesy and customer service. They understand that customers are not a nuisance, but the reason that theyhave a job in the first place.Their work ethic is more evolved. Most know the value of a smile and a handshake inmaking and retaining customers. They have learned that their job is not guaranteed,and that taking care of a customer is far easier than finding a new job.Ed Gruber • And...When I was in a position of hiring, too many (not all), but too many younger applicants from some of the country's finest universities, couldn't write, couldn't spell,didn't know geography, were so technology-oriented they were short on social skills.were expectedly naive about the world of business (not to mention the world). Wehired the best of the lot, trained them well, and I am proud that many are nowsuccessful business people. All that said, "experience" is the best teacher - and that'swhy seniors make for serious applicants. If the goal is to build from within, who better to teach the younger hires and set the best examples than the battle-testedseniors?
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Would You Hire Someone Over 45
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