Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Business

The great ex-retire hire: Why UK businesses are seeking the over 50s to plug labour shortage

According to recent research from LinkedIn, almost three-quarters of UK employers are turning to retirees to fill empty job roles

It is certainly a trend we’re seeing across some of the UK’s largest employers, with companies like  EasyJet,Halfords and McDonald’s all recently announcing recruitment drives aimed at attracting an older workforce.

But Guy Garnett, Principal Consultant at New Street Consulting Group explains that after years of recruitment favouring younger generations and older workers being routinely overlooked, many may question what’s changed.

Both Brexit and Covid-19 have had a dramatic impact on the UK’s labour market. The end of free movement has meant EU migrant workers no longer have an automatic right to work in the UK, causing a skills shortage across a wide range of industries.

Additionally, the latest research from ONS revealed half a million more people are out of work due to long-term sickness compared to pre-pandemic levels, with those aged 25-34 years old seeing the steepest increase in long-term sickness.

It’s unsurprising, therefore, that UK employers are looking to retirees and those aged 50 and over to plug their recruitment gap. For those suffering the financial effects of the cost of living crisis or concerned about economic instability during the recession, more job opportunities for the over 50s will be a welcome relief. And from an employer’s perspective, an older workforce holds a wealth of experience and varied skills that are invaluable for business.

While it’s great to see more businesses strive to improve inclusivity for older workers, employers will need to be cautious of unconscious bias during the recruitment process, particularly when looking to hire within a specific demographic.

Confirmation bias, for example, plays into preconceived notions a recruiter may have against an older worker and can hinder candidates before they’ve even attended an interview.

Equally, employers will want to avoid any accidental similarity bias, where hiring managers subconsciously gravitate towards those who present similarly to themselves. One example of this could be a younger manager only hiring graduates while overlooking older applicants. This results in a less diverse and less inclusive work environment which ultimately hinders business growth.

To avoid this, ensure the language chosen within job descriptions isn’t coded to put off specific demographics from the outset.

Interview processes should also be reviewed to ensure inclusivity by asking all candidates the same questions and ranking them based on skillset as opposed to gut feeling.

Diversity and inclusion should be an important part of any business’ recruitment process, with studies showing more diverse teams generate up to 19 percent more innovation revenue. And while ageism in the workplace has long been overlooked, this year’s push to hire ex-retirees will hopefully spark future discussion over how to make workplaces more inclusive for all age brackets.

Read more:
The great ex-retire hire: Why UK businesses are seeking the over 50s to plug labour shortage

Advertisement

    You May Also Like

    Investing

    RevisingTheBankSecrecyAct_NorbertMichelAndJenniferSchulp_CMFAWP007   The post Revising the Bank Secrecy Act to Protect Privacy and Deter Criminals (CMFA Working Paper No.007) appeared first on Alt-M.

    Investing

    Recently, an investment advisor and Bitcoin proponent tweeted the claim that “[f]or most of human history” the “[s]eparation of money and state was the...

    Business

    Rollee enables worker’s to share their professional data, spread over one or more financial platforms. Ali Hamriti, CEO and Co-Founder of Rollee, is on...

    Business

    The energy crisis means that as the price of wholesale commercial energy hits an unprecedented high, businesses must pay notably more for their energy...

    Disclaimer: successfuldealnow.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2024 successfuldealnow.com | All Rights Reserved