» Fifty Plus

Five Tips To Make Your

Organization Appealing To 50-Plus Workers

By Colin Milner Fewer young people are entering the

Tips To

Make Your Organization Appealing To

job market, and the population is age- ing. Clubs can improve their prospects by targeting older adults not only as members, but also as staff.

Five

Thousands of baby boomers turn

60 every day in the United States and Canada. Members of this generation tend to be knowledgeable about health and committed to staying active as they age. Numerous research stud- ies show that significant numbers of them plan to continue working after “retirement.” These numbers are likely to be even higher now due to money lost in investments during the eco- nomic downturn, a 2009 AARP study suggests.

Clubs that target the age 50-plus

Fewer young people are entering the job market, and the population is ageing. Clubs can improve their prospects by targeting older adults not only as members, but also as staff.

market can actually enhance their ap- peal by hiring older staff members. In a 2007 study, researchers at the University of British Columbia found that “although older adults may report a lack of appeal for exercising with those much younger than themselves, they actually exhibit a positive prefer- ence for exercising with those of their own age.”

Age 50-plus adults are looking for a

work environment that is a good fit for their life stage.

How can you make your organi-

zation more appealing to these older workers? Here are a few tips:

BY COLIN MILNER

1.

MetLife Foundation/Civic Ventures New Face of Work Survey revealed that United States and Canada.

half of Americans ages 50–70 want to Members of this generation

do work in retirement that helps others tend to be knowledgeable

and the community. Be a more visible contrib about health and committed to staying active as they age. Numerous research tractive employer to boomers and other older workers.

community, and you’ll be a more at- studies show that significant numbers of them plan to continue working after “retirement.” These numbers are likely 2. to be even higher now due to money lost in investments during the economic downturn, a 2009 AARP study suggests. why many older adults want to work afte market can actually enhance their

T

Create a warm, welcoming

and inclus ve environment. The d - sire t

stay socially active is a reason Clubs that target the age 50-plus

r retireme t. In the MetLife/Civic

30 Fitness Business Canada September/October 2009

July/August 2009

or to the greater good in your Have a more altruistic vi-

sion for your organization. The 2005 housands of baby boom- ers turn 60 every day in he

50-Plus Workers

Ventures survey, 59% of respondents said that staying involved with other people was very important in a job. Consider holding special events or providing spac- es where people can mix and mingle after workouts. It pays to foster a friendly atmo- sphere for older members and staff.

3. Be flexible with your schedul-

ing. While many older individuals want to work in retirement, they want – and, in many cases, need – more flexibility with their hours. AARP’s 2003 Working in Retirement Study showed that more than 80% of those who hadn’t yet retired and more than 60% of those who had re- tired thought it very important or some- what important to be able to set their own hours. Time off for caregiving was at least equally important. Think about how you could be creative with your scheduling to accommodate older workers.

4. Show that you value your work-

ers’ contributions. Older individuals are looking for a sense of purpose and want to feel that their work is meaning- ful and valued. According to a 2005 sur- vey conducted by AgeWave and Harris Interactive for Ameriprise Financial, re- tirement is often associated with feelings of emptiness, worry and boredom after the initial adjustment. This finding helps to explain why so many people retire and then go back to work in some capacity. For 57% of those who responded to the MetLife/Civic Ventures survey, gaining a sense of purpose from their jobs was very important. And the 2003 AARP study found that more than 80% of respondents said they seek employers who value their opinions. Such simple things as listening to people’s ideas and showing apprecia- tion can make a difference.

appeal by hiring older staff members. In a 2007 study, researchers at the U oniversity of British Columbia found to keep learning is another ke

5. Offer training and educational

ppo tunities when p ssible. The desire that “although older adults may report a t lack of appeal for exercising with

ason

hat older adu ts d cide to work in retire- those much younger than themselves,

AARP’s 2003 tudy found that having own age.”

d yet t

mewhat important to more than 80% work environment that is a good fit for their life stage.

new experiences was very important or soAge 50-plus adults are looking for a of individuals who

mo e than 70% of those who had. The How can you make your organi-

zation more appealing to these older workers? Here are a few tips:

retire and

Mature Market Group and ThirdAge, Inc. ence for exercising with those of their

ment, ac ording to a 2005 survey by JWT they actually exhibit a positive prefer-

ability to learn new things was not far behind for both groups. By pro- viding opportunities to learn on the job, your organization will appeal to older workers and keep them en- gaged in their work.

It’s the simple things that mat-

ter, regardless of a person’s age. To attract older members and workers, think about how your organization can support their health and well- being, not just your bottom line. You’ll find that nurturing these in- dividuals will in turn nurture your business.

Colin Milner, chief executive of-

ficer of the International Council on Active Aging®, is one of the fore- most visionaries and original think- ers regarding the health and well- being of the older adult. He has authored more than 200 articles on aging-related issues and inspired industry leaders, publications, tele- vision networks and radio stations to seek his advice.

###

1. Have a more altruistic vision for

your organization. The 2005 MetLife Foundation/Civic Ventures New Face of Work Survey revealed that half of Americans ages 50–70 want to do work in retirement that helps others and the community. Be a more vis- ible contributor to the greater good in your community, and you’ll be a more attractive employer to boomers and other older workers.

2. Create a warm, welcoming and

inclusive environment. The desire to stay socially active is a reason Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71