New boss, same as the old boss – hiring for higher results
By Steven V. Dubin
Some employers agree, “Your age is your edge.” Others undervalue the capabilities and skills of seniors.
By 2028, more than one fourth of the United States workforce will be age 55 or older. Ironically, 26% of workers older than 50 report that they have been the target of age-related comments.
Many myths are associated with older workers. For instance, many employers fear that older workers cannot keep up with technology. Or that they won’t stay on the job long. Or don’t have the stamina to maintain and keep up.
HR professional Carolyn D. Ross, J.D., founder of Ross Insight Solutions based in Easton, explores this phenomenon. She offers advice and human resources services to both employers and employees about creating a more harmonious, compliant, and productive workplace.
Ross has 26 years of leadership experience in all aspects of human resources management across diverse industries. She holds a bachelor of arts in psychology/business from Skidmore College along with a Juris Doctor degree from Suffolk University Law School. She holds certificates in HR Management from Bentley University, Coaching for HR Professionals from the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL), Leadership Development for HR Professionals from CCL, is a certified mediator by Coast-to-Coast Mediation, and was formerly a certified Personal Renewal Group facilitator through Renee Trudeau & Associates.
“Older workers add depth to the workplace,” noted Ross. “They offer wisdom, experience, relationship-building, negotiating skills, and leadership. And they both want and often need to work for a variety of reasons – from a need to pay the bills, a desire to stay productive and mentally sharp, to maintaining their identity.”
Boston Consulting Group recently found that companies with above average diversity in age, gender, nationality, and education level on their management teams report 19% higher revenue versus businesses with below-average diversity.
Ross notes that older workers sometimes expect or need certain accommodations, such as flexible work schedules, the option of at least partial remote work, and technology training. Companies that are willing to offer these things will be rewarded with knowledgeable, flexible, loyal employees.
Hear her thoughts on attracting, retaining, and thriving with senior employees on a recent South Shore Senior News podcast, “My Generation,” that appears on YouTube as a video and Spotify as audio.
https://youtu.be/lOETbu94l-I?si=yAUKgGAXz-uot_6pa
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To contact human resources professional Carolyn D. Ross, J.D., founder of Ross Insight Solutions, visit www.RossInsightSolutions.com.
If you are or know of a senior who is doing something interesting with their retirement, I look forward to hearing from you! Please email me at SDubin@PRWorkZone.com.
Steven V. Dubin is the founder of PR Works, a lightly used public relations firm based in Plymouth which helps small to mid-sized nonprofit organizations and for-profit companies navigate the overwhelming options of advertising. Steve lives in Plymouth with his wife, Wendy. He is a contributing author to “Get Slightly Famous” and “Tricks of the Trade,” the complete guide to succeeding in the advice business. He recently authored “PR 101,” an E-book.
