Older workers employment toolkit
As the population ages and more people work later in life, New Zealand’s workforce will include more people aged over 50. Older workers make up a third of the labour force and are the fastest growing demographic group, and over 25% of those aged 65-plus still working.
This toolkit will help you hire, develop, and retain older workers. It includes information about:
- training and development
- health, safety and wellbeing
- flexibility to meet the needs of an older workforce
Three reasons to hire older workers
Businesses can benefit from employing older people because they bring a strong work ethic, positive attitude and boost workplace productivity by passing on important skills and knowledge to the team.
They’re loyal, reliable and stay in jobs longer
Older workers are motivated to continue earning as they are more likely to have financial commitments and families to support which means they tend to stay in jobs longer.
They bring experience and skills
Older workers can provide a wealth of knowledge and skills that come with their lifetime of work experience. They can share their knowledge with younger team mates, helping boost productivity.
They create a diverse workplace
Having employees of different ages provides a balanced workplace, with a range of viewpoints, problem-solving skills, attitudes, and ideas.
Managing age-diverse workers
With people living longer — and wanting or needing to stay in work — how best to lead workers of all ages?
Test yourself on flexible work. Who’s eligible? How soon must you decide on requests? Plus business benefits and how to make it run smoothly.
Training and development
Helping your people learn and share skills makes your business stronger. Learning on the job is good for everyone.
Skills in your business
To survive and thrive, your business needs the right skills and knowledge at the right time.
Take this self-assessment to spot any skills gaps and opportunities.
Build a learning and skills policy
Workers of all ages benefit from continuing to learn. This can be to:
- keep their skills and knowledge up to date
- stretch into a new area.
It’s also good for your business.
Tailor a policy to suit your people and your goals — plus get tips along the way.
Case study
Changing training to suit employees
Early childhood manager Ika wants to try a new teaching approach at his centre. He books a trainer to run two half-day workshops. He splits the cost with a neighbouring childcare centre, also keen on the philosophy.
A week after the first workshop, Ika hasn’t observed any teachers using the approach. Deflated, he asks staff why. The teachers admit they found the information a lot to take in at once. They had little chance to ask questions. They also struggled to see how they might use the principles with the tamariki at their centre.
Ika cancels the second workshop. Instead, the trainer visits the centres to show teachers the technique one on one.
The trainer helps staff apply the approach to real situations. She leaves posters and checklists as visual prompts. Reading material is also available for those who need more background. In a follow-up session, she asks teachers what they are finding difficult and helps them retry.
A month on, Ika is happy to see his employees have mastered the teaching technique. When a student teacher starts work, they eagerly pass on what they have learned.
Case study
Myth of 'over-qualified'
Sifting through applications for an engineering technician, Hoani is surprised to find Don’s CV. In his last job — engineering manager — Don led a team of 10. Hoani wonders why he’s interested in this mid-level role, maintaining and repairing machinery.
Don clearly has the technical knowledge. But Hoani worries Don may become bored in a less responsible role. He also wonders if Don’s skills are rusty after being in management.
Hoani keeps an open mind and invites Don to interview.
At interview, Hoani asks Don why he wants the job. He learns a mid-level position suits Don fine. After years in management, Don wants to shift gears. He still has the passion for engineering he had as an apprentice, and misses being on the tools. The hours and level of responsibility would give Don back his weekends. He has three grandchildren he wants to spend more time with. An old motorbike to get on the road. He’s also been asked to be a youth mentor by a local community group. With retirement savings, Don’s prepared for a lower wage.
Don has a good attitude and a lot to give. Hoani checks his references. Past teammates say Don’s easy to work with — a humble guy with the hands-on knowledge of someone on the floor. Hoani offers Don the role.
Two years on, Hoani is happy he didn’t write off Don as being too experienced. Don keeps their machinery humming and is generous with his knowledge — coaching younger team members and being open to learning from them.
Think about ways to sharpen your communication and feedback skills.
Use this assessment to reflect on what your strengths are, and pinpoint how you can improve.
Boost innovation
Your business can be more creative — and better reflect your customers — when your team includes a range of ages and experiences.
Keep an open mind to find the right person.
Identify skills you need, then write ads to attract workers with the right mindset and experience.
Case study
Not ready to retire
When business dramatically slows at Harriet’s events company, she must make difficult decisions about her eight employees. Harriet cannot afford to keep everyone on the payroll.
Harriet begins a restructuring process and proposes cutting two full-time roles. During consultation, long-time employee Beth suggests she retires, as she’s now in her early 60s. This would leave Harriet without her trusted bookings manager. It’s a role Harriet needs to retain, and Beth is someone she and her staff are reluctant to lose.
Harriet invites Beth to a conversation to explore other options. Does she really want to stop work? Harriet listens as Beth talks about loving her job but feeling she should make way for her younger co-workers. Harriet asks if she’s thought about other options. Beth wonders about reducing her hours. If this happens, she wants to help train someone to fill in when she’s not at work.
When talking with other staff, Harriet learns most of her people want to change their hours. Some are also interested in taking on new responsibilities.
Harriet comes up with a new plan. She can keep all eight employees on reduced hours. Harriet also asks Beth to coach a co-worker keen to move into bookings.
Case study
Job shadow pays off
Nico’s top bricklayer Reece is starting to feel the effects of 40 years in the trade — his back aches constantly. Reece worries about doing permanent damage. Nico doesn’t want to lose such a valued employee. Reece has been the heart and soul of his building firm. The knowledge he holds is invaluable.
Dana, a competent administrator and bookkeeper in her 20s, works in the office. She’s been with the business for two years and wants to take on more responsibility. Nico senses Dana is bored. He worries she may also leave.
Like most business owners, Nico is pulled in many directions. He can’t afford to lose staff. Besides, he needs another person who knows how to cost jobs to ease his load.
After talking to a trades manager friend, Nico decides combining Dana and Reece’s skills could solve his employee/workload issue. Reece has worked on hundreds of building projects. He knows the supplies needed to complete a job, without waste. Reece isn’t great with spreadsheets, but Dana is.
Nico talks to Reece and Dana. He asks if they’re interested in taking on costing work. Together, they figure out a job shadowing plan.
Dana starts spending a couple of days a week on site with Reece. Reece shares stories about past projects, and Dana observes how things are done on the job. Another two days a week, Reece comes into the office with Dana to learn computer skills.
In time, Nico feels confident delegating costing work to Dana and Reece. Reece’s back is grateful for less time on the tools. Dana feels more motivated. Plus Reece’s ‘don’t sweat the small stuff’ approach helps her put some of the customer service stuff she finds stressful into perspective.
Going contracting
If you’re going contracting over the summer, or in general, we have tips, tools, templates and case studies to help no matter what stage you’re at.
Back to work after illness or injury
Your people may need time off to recover from physical or mental health issues — or to care for others.
Here’s how to help employees transition back to work.
Health and safety isn’t about paperwork and ticking boxes.
It’s about creating a work environment where everyone behaves in a safe and healthy way. Here’s how to get everyone involved in H&S.