How to create a positive and effective age diverse hospitality workplace

There exists a perception that older workers may not seamlessly integrate, might lack the energy of their younger counterparts, and are susceptible to age bias. How are industry leaders challenging and transforming this viewpoint, and what advice do they offer to businesses considering the recruitment of older workers?

At our recent roundtable event, hosted by Calvern James, Director of Hospitality at Caterer.com, industry leaders got together to explore what steps are currently being taken to create positive effective diverse workforces and how other hospitality businesses can tap into the older worker talent pool.

Are older workers the key to solving hospitality’s labour shortage?

The good news is that over 165 thousand people aged 50 and over have started working in the hospitality sector since the pandemic. Recent research by Caterer.com shows that a third of the UK workforce is now over 50, and in the next 20 year one in every four people in the UK will be over 65. 77% of hospitality employers believe that the over 50s are key to solving the sectors labour shortage and more than half have seen an increase in the number of applications from older workers in the past twelve months.

The benefits of employing older workers

Paul Rogers, Sales Manager at Caterer.com commented, “Most employers believe older workers are more likely to upsell, bringing with them experience in delivering refined customer service, and enhanced social skills. Employers also believed that because of the skills and experience they bring, older workers can potentially help to improve client retention and satisfaction. With an aging population in the UK, the older worker talent pool is only going to grow so now is the time for employers to plan ahead.”

Why are older workers choosing hospitality?

One reason is the cost-of-living crisis which is driving more over 50s back to the workplace. That said, older workers have a very clear idea of what they want from employment – a combination of social interaction, a positive work culture and the need for a sense of purpose that benefits their wellbeing, coupled with flexible hours and variety.

Employers who recognise and strive to meet those needs will ultimately have a strong and loyal workforce with improved employee retention and productivity, faster onboarding, and access to a wealth of life skills and experience.

3 Top tips for recruiting an age diverse workforce from Hospitality Employers

Sell the benefits to your HR team

Lyndsey Rush is Recruitment Partner for Fuller, Smith and Turner. “Start by discussing the benefits of an age-diverse workforce in depth with your hiring managers so they can understand why it is worth their time and investment. Utilising external training and education options can help your team to see things differently – and to understand that diverse hiring is more than just a ‘HR initiative’.”

Ask your older workers their views

Find out why they were they attracted to your business? Darraugh O’Shaugnessy is Talent Acquisition Manager at Hyatt Hotels. “At Hyatt we have been asking our older workers about their experience of the recruitment process and what we can do to enhance the hiring journey.  We’re also keen to find out what can we do to improve their working environment? The feedback is helping us refine the way we recruit, onboard, and train a diverse workforce. Use the resources you currently have to create positive change within your business.”

Think about the language you use when recruiting

Christian Johansen is Sales Director at Nemi Teas. “Think about how you can alter the language in your recruitment campaigns to engage with a broader pool of candidates, including older workers. Many employers create adverts that don’t explicitly state that they are flexible with the hours/packages on offer. This discourages a lot of older workers from applying in the first place. Sometimes job advert wording can be over-energetic and ‘youth focused’ which can be off-putting and alienating to older jobseekers.”

Plus, hear directly from HR leaders and team members at The Wolseley Hospitality Group, Fuller’s and Compass Group on how hiring over 50s has brought positive benefits to their business – and their tips on how you can do the same.