I know I bang on about employing older workers, so here’s another good news story from the ABC.
Along the waterfront in Queenscliff on Victoria’s Bellarine Peninsula, is a restaurant where customers are more likely to be served by someone over 60, than someone in their 20s.
Owner Barry Iddles had an innovative idea. Like thousands of other restaurant owners in Australia, Mr Iddles was struggling to fill shifts.
Out of desperation he sent hundreds of postcards specifically asking retirees to come and work for him.
They didn’t need a resume or experience in hospitality.
They just had to turn up for a chat to see if the work was something they would enjoy. Now, he has 12 people on the books aged over 50.
“There is a labour shortage and a labour crisis, [but] I don’t have one. I have five too many staff at the moment. And I could actually open another venue to keep them all gainfully employed.”
One of the new recruits is Kenton Savage, a 67-year-old who always thought he would retire comfortably with his wife after selling his distribution business. But then the pandemic hit and the business went bankrupt.
“The pension just didn’t pay enough. So I looked around for a job and Barry was hiring,” he said.
The benefits have been more than a boost to his back pocket.
“It keeps me fit and healthy and happy. It’s really been good for me,” he said.
Alysia Blackham from the Melbourne Law School said more employers needed to target their job ads to older workers.
“Businesses that are creative and open in their recruitment are going to see significant benefits from having a more diverse workforce.”
For the full story:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-11-15/defying-ageism-older-workers-fill-gaps-in-workforce/101651806