In the coming years, younger workers will account for a less likely source of new employees, making the retention of older workers an important human resource strategy. By the year 2026 one in five Canadians will be 65 years of age or older — up from one in eight in 2001.
Canada’s birth rate has also been falling rapidly. This combination is expected to have a profound effect on the Canadian labour market. Over the next ten years, the number of Canadian workers aged 55 to 64 will increase by more than 50% and, by the year 2015, they will make up a total of 48% of the labour force.
This means employers will need to keep older workers employed past the traditional retirement age.
There are many safety and social stereotypes about older workers that are based on the perception that older workers are frail and inflexible in their habits. The chart at the bottom of the page published by the Government of Alberta puts many of these myths to rest.
The reality is that hiring and retaining older workers has many advanatages. Some examples:
- strong work ethic and reliability
- sense of responsibility and duty to the job
- cooperative and team-oriented attitude
- willingness to work flexible schedules
- life and work experience
- lower absenteeism
- ability to be a role model or mentor
Sometimes the physical and mental changes related to aging can affect an older worker’s performance. By making some adjustments to equipment and workplace environment, the employer can ensure that older workers can do their job effectively and safely. These kinds of adjustments will often benefit workers of all ages.
Some ideas for adjustments are:
- Provide mechanical and powered devices for lifting and moving.
- Provide grip-friendly tools and long handled tools to reduce bending.
- Reduce climbing and prevent working from hieghts.
- Brightly mark steps, floors and surfaces.
- Limit above-shoulder and above-head work.
- Encourage stretch breaks.
- Adjust work or hours in high or low temperatures.
- Schedule work accordingly to avoid fatigue.
- Ensure written material is large enough to be easily read and in easy-to-read colour combinations.
- Encourage regular eye exams.
- Reduce multi-tasking.
- Reinforce tasks and skills through repetition, drills and refresher courses.
