What do HR Managers Need to Know About Their Aging Workforce?
The aging workforce is going to have a major impact on organizations all across the globe. As life expectancy rates become longer and medicine helps to treat once deadly illnesses, the population is expected to grow right along with the retirement age.
The average individual is expected to work longer than mature workers did just a decade ago and this fact can be beneficial to the organization while still posing unique issues for HR departments and managers.
If you currently work in HR, it is your duty to learn how the instability of the economy paired with the growing number of mature workers can pose some new challenges in the field.
The Need for a More Flexible Work Program for Senior Employees
There are several advantages associated with retaining employees within an organization. Not only can a company keep their recruiting, hiring and training costs down, they can maintain a loyal workforce that has proven that they want to see the organization succeed. What you as an HR manager need to know is that there will be a need for you to address a shift in capabilities when an employee ages.
While they will still be able to handle most of their responsibilities, aging may lead to a need for revised job descriptions and a more flexible work program. This can be referred to as succession planning and it will become a huge focus in today’s more mature work environment.
The Issue of Age Discrimination
Labor laws are constantly changing and new laws that address things like aging in the workplace are implemented on a regular basis. One thing that HR managers are going to need to do is put a strong emphasis is on making it so that work terms are not discriminatory in any manner.
Policies, job descriptions and procedures that you currently follow and plan to put in effect need to apply to employees of all ages so that the organization does not need to worry about avoidable litigation. Be sure that you take time to learn about the Age Discrimination in Employment Act and also about the Employee Retirement Income Security Act so that you can make an effort to accommodate your mature workforce and keep them protected.
Understand How a Mature Workforce Can Affect Wellness Program Costs
As people age they almost always become more susceptible to illness. Even the common cold can be difficult to fight off, which creates a need for more sick time and more human capital to fill shifts. With sicknesses come the need for more employer-covered healthcare costs under the business health plan. These are all factors that need to be considered in the budget. It can also be very helpful for wellness programs to be re-assessed to determine how some illnesses can be prevented and how mature workers can avoid age-related injuries.
Older workers bring many different advantages to the workforce. Their experience, skills, work ethic, and knowledge are all reasons why wise managers are trying to retain their mature workers instead of focusing on quick succession. Since more and more professionals are staying in the workforce even after they are eligible for retirement, it is important to address issues you may face in the HR department.
