The 14 Pros and Cons For Hiring Mature Workers

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As more older and mature workers are entering back into the workforce after retirement or making a career change later in life, there has become a discussion on whether hiring these workers is more beneficial over hiring younger workers.

Younger workers are entering the workforce after graduating college more energized and enthusiastic about innovative ideas but they are lacking something that most older and more mature workers have, which is experience.

To help you decide if hiring mature workers is the right thing for your company, we have put together some myths about older workers, as well as the 14 pros and cons of hiring these workers over younger workers.

Key Takeaways:

• One of the biggest advantages about hiring mature workers is that they require less training which can save the company time and money.

• When younger managers treat all their employees equally, regardless of age, older workers are less likely to treat them like children.

• Mature workers are often expecting a higher salary and better benefits because of their experience over younger workers who will take lower salaries starting out.

• More mature workers are able to have a more manner of looking at things over younger workers who are likely to come up with juvenile and risky ideas.

Myths About Older Workers

There is a stigma around older workers in the workforce about them being less progressive and less capable of learning new things. Age discrimination and separation is a big issue within the workforce that keeps younger workers from understanding their more mature coworkers. Here are some myths about older workers and are the driving factors for pushing them out of the workforce that most people have, but are not true:

• Myth: Older workers are lazy, and they hate to communicate with their younger supervisors.

  Fact: When managers treat all employees equally no matter their age, older workers are likely to reach their expectations.

• Myth: Older workers are just waiting for retirement.

  Fact: Most older workers are keen to continue their job because of the enjoyment it brings and not necessarily for the salary.

• Myth: Older workers are not interested in learning about new technology.

  Fact: Many older workers want to improve their knowledge of new technology and grow with it.

• Myth: Older workers can’t handle the physical demands of the job.

  Fact: While jobs may be physically demanding, majority of tasks in modern offices and factories can be done by older workers.

Pros of Hiring Mature Workers

After understanding the myths behind older workers, here are seven advantages of hiring older workers over younger workers.

1. Less training is required. One of the biggest advantages of hiring mature workers is that as compared to younger workers, they do not require as much training which in turn can save the company’s resources. Students who start a job straight after college or university require more continuous attention and training in the first few months of their job.

   When a more experienced or mature person joins any organization, they aren’t required to be trained from scratch and should already know how to do what is expected.

2. Proven experience. Mature workers have the proven experience to guide them in a workplace. This is one of the greatest advantages to hiring a mature person since they will definitely have enough past experience as well as the exposure to how things work in the workplace which is not the case when you hire a fresh grad for example.

   Because of their prior experience, mature hires can turn out to be an invaluable asset to any firm. This is why several companies hire more mature candidates especially for senior or C-level positions.

3. They have a more mature manner of looking at things. Older workers usually have a more mature manner at looking at things are able to make an educated decision. They are able to determine the quality of work which is delivered by them.

   Younger workers are more likely to make quick decisions without thinking them through. They are also more likely to come up with ideas that are more juvenile.

4. A more responsible attitude towards work. Younger workers have a tendency to be careless or irresponsible at times. On the other hand, mature workers tend to show a more dedicated and responsible attitude towards their work.

   Mature employees tend to be more careful working on the tasks assigned to them, while their more junior colleagues often have a more casual attitude towards their work.

5. Fewer chances of mistakes. Hiring a more experienced employee should means that there will be fewer chances of blunders and mistakes. This is because mature employees will have accumulated a lot of work-related experience throughout their careers so should be likely to be less confused as compared to someone less experienced on a job.

   On the other hand, a fresh grad for example is more likely to slip up due to lack of experience. While a more mature person should be more confident about their work and will hopefully make fewer mistakes even in more complex tasks.

6. Less likely to get involved in workplace politics. Mature workers are typically less interested in petty workplace politics. They tend to keep their focus on their work rather than participating in insignificant politics within the organization. Unlike many of their younger colleagues, they are less likely to butter up their managers and bosses to seek their favor. Instead, they tend to prove themselves through their dedication and commitment to their work.

7. More loyalty to the company. Older workers are more likely to have a higher loyalty to the company they are working for. Older workers come from a time when work ethics were higher and stricter and they have an understanding for punctuality, regular attendance, and work with the rules of the company.

   Younger workers are more likely to quit a job when they disagree with a policy or they are there just to put their time in without wanting to do any extra work.

Cons of Hiring Mature Workers

Here are the seven disadvantages for hiring older workers over younger workers.

1. Less likely to embrace technology. One of the biggest disadvantages of hiring a more mature employee in this day and age is that they are less likely to embrace all the modern technology. Nowadays, more and more companies are introducing new, cutting edge technology which a mature person may struggle to pick up.

   On the other hand, a millennial is more likely to be far more familiar with all the latest tech innovations.

2. Lack of flexibility. Mature employees tend to be more rigid and less flexible. This one is a big drawback because more experienced hires can often be fairly fixed in their way of working. They are less able to adapt to new or changing environments.

   Nowadays, companies require employees to be versatile, but versatility is not the most common trait for a more mature hire. Rather, it is the attribute of the younger grain of workers who tend to easily get along with their team in the quest of learning new things.

3. Higher salaries. Mature workers tend to occupy the slot of more senior positions within an organization, so they are likely to command a higher salary compared to the younger generation. A more mature worker is likely to ask you for better medical compensations, a more lucrative pension plan or provident fund compared to that which you would pay to a younger employee.

4. They may not respect younger managers. There are times when older workers will try to command respect from the managers just because they are older. While not all older workers are like this, there will be a time when they are set in their ways and won’t take direction from anyone younger than them.

5. Older workers are closer to the age of retirement. One of the biggest disadvantages of hiring older workers is that they are close to the age of retirement. They may only be around for a few years before they leave the company and you are right back where you started trying to find someone new. But not all workers are able to retire around the typical age of retirement so it might not be an issue.

6. May not be open to criticism. Younger workers are often hired because they are more eager workers and they are eager to please their managers. They are more likely to try to improve themselves when they are told criticism.

   While older workers who have more experience might not be open to the criticism and try to improve the way they have been doing their work. They are more likely to be set in their ways even if the new way of doing things are more efficient.

7. More health related issues. Not all older workers have major health issues, but hiring older workers comes with the risk of them having more health related issues. They may need to take more time off for doctor visits or take days off for illnesses. They also may not be able to work the longer hours that younger workers are able to.

Final Thoughts

Every new employee should be hired on the basis of skills, merits, and qualifications rather than on the basis of his or her age or seniority. Companies should select the right individual who can prove to be a truly valuable asset to the firm.

Author

Taylor Berman

Taylor is a freelance writer from Pennsylvania. Taylor got into writing because she enjoys writing articles that help people and loves creating stories that inspire. She earned a bachelor's degree in journalism and public relations with an interest in communications media from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.