Valuing Experience

Part C:  Key dimensions of recruiting and retaining older workers

What works as far as recruiting and retaining older workers? A useful starting point is what older workers tell us they want.

A 2007 UK survey of 1,000 older workers found that older workers are most interested in:
• Flexible working arrangements
• The opportunity to use existing skills and experience
• A worthwhile job
• More flexible leave arrangements
• Financial benefits that they value
• A participative and friendly culture.

There are some marked similarities in the responses of New Zealand workers as identified in the 2007 EEO Trust survey, where people identified the following, in order of importance:
• Quality part-time work and flexible working hours
• Ability to take extended leave and then return
• Ability to work from home
• Higher pay
• Challenging, interesting and varied work
• The chance to make a difference
• Having their experience needed and wanted
• Less stress.

The following section provides ideas and suggestions on how you as an employer may influence some of these. It focuses on the recruitment and selection of older workers, designing jobs that will work for older employees and ensuring the participation and contribution of older employees.