I read an article recently about how it’s likely that most of us born after 2000 will live until we are 100.
 
Having just turned 50 myself, this means I’m at my half way point and I feel excited about the possibilities of the next 50 years. Good health permitting, I intend to work in some capacity for as long as I can.
 
What does this mean then for the future of work?  To answer that I’m going to look to my own past.  A number of years ago I ran a program for the Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI) entitled “Younger Manager Older Worker” and it was prompted by this trend that we are living longer, retiring later and with a shortage of skilled workers, the “older” workers are a pool of talent that was not to be ignored.
 
Back then though, it meant that the dynamic of an older skilled and experienced worker reporting to a younger manager meant we needed to have some intergenerational understanding.
 
Now, it’s different.  We may need to overhaul the way we think about attracting and retaining older workers by acknowledging what they really want and need.   This will mean changes to some fundamental thinking in workplace policies.
 
There are many reasons why we will need to treat older workers (or frankly, any age workers…but that’s a topic for another blog) differently.
 
Old (pardon the pun) motivators like financial incentives, or rigid policies probably won’t cut it. Because, in many cases, older workers have:

Financial Freedom – many will be working because they want to remain active, not because they necessarily need the money

Independent Thinking – they will not feel constrained by the politics or “the way it’s always been done” mentality of many workplaces

Lack of Attachment – They won’t stand for poor behaviour in workplaces or stupid policies.  They don’t need to.

Strong Work Ethic – typically older workers have a higher work ethic.  They get in and get the job done.
 
Here are a few things that would need to be considered
 

An older worker who is fit in mind and body has a lot to offer and it’s in organisations' interests to tap into this.  AND we need to remember, that after years of full time work, many are looking to their later years to find balance in their worlds between keeping mentally active (having a job) and enjoying life (taking vacations or trips).
 
Structure their jobs around projects.  After which they may want to take a month off to travel
Allow an anywhere anytime policy.  Technology means they can work from home, office, or the beach.
 
For a light-hearted look at what an older worker can bring to a modern workplace, check out the film The Intern, starring Robert Di Nero and Anne Hathaway.