Five ways SMEs can leverage the ‘great unretirement’ in their business

Recent labour force figures revealing that 40% of new entrants to the labour force are aged over 55 has been labelled the ‘great unretirement’.

With an older demographic now comprising almost 20% of the workforce, there’s a fantastic opportunity for organisations and businesses to better tap into this segment and leverage the available experience and knowledge. 

Recognise the benefits

Securing these benefits starts by ditching the myths associated with older workers.

Research by Professor Thomas Ng from the University of Hong Kong and Professor Daniel Feldman from the University of Georgia found myths that older workers (as compared with younger workers) are less motivated, more resistant to change, not as trusting, more likely to experience health problems that affect their work and more vulnerable to work-family conflicts are unfounded.