I once worked as a supervisor for a private security company. One day a man named Bernie whom I had known for a number of years came to me and asked for a job. Bernie was a spry 75-year old who was getting bored with retirement. Since I was short-handed and he was able to start immediately, I hired him.

He worked several shifts a week, was never late and showed up every day. And while it took him a little longer to make his rounds, he was very thorough and always managed to find and report more security and safety issues than his younger counterparts. He also filled in any open shifts that I asked him to.

Advantages of Using Older Workers

Today we scarcely give something like this a second thought. But at that time, having somebody 75-years-old on the payroll was viewed as so unusual that a couple of the local newspapers interviewed Bernie and ran stories about him.

Bernie, I'm delighted to report, is far from atypical. I have found that older workers - whether continuing past normal retirement in the same job or starting a new career after retiring from another - can flat out do the job. What's more, they offer a number of distinct advantages, primarily their wealth of experience and skills.

Older workers also tend to require fewer benefits. For example, older females don't need maternity or related benefits. And once they become eligible for Medicare, health insurance can be discontinued. (Although employers may want to consider offering a Medicare supplement or "Medigap" insurance policy.).

In addition, older workers most likely will be receiving their retirement benefits or at least Social Security so they may be willing to work for a slightly reduced wage. Also, the cost of contributing to a retirement fund doesn't apply.

Safety and Older Workers

Older workers also generally experience fewer work-related injuries than their younger colleagues. On the other hand, when they do suffer a work injury that requires time away from work, the older worker generally takes longer to recover. On average, workers aged 55 and older will take up to twice as long recovering from lost time injuries. As my grandfather used to say, "Old bones knit slow."

The predominant injuries to older workers are muscle strains and sprains, often resulting from lifting, reaching, slipping or tripping. The underlying causal factor may be diminished muscle and bone mass, strength, flexibility, stamina and sensory acuity.

To accommodate the older worker and reduce the potential for these injuries occurring, consider the following measures:

• Shorten their workday from eight or 10 to five or six hours;
• Review the physical requirements for the job and limit the amount of bending, reaching and stretching;
• Keep the range of lifting between the shoulders and the waist as much as possible. This will greatly reduce the potential for shoulder and rotator cuff injuries;
• Survey walking and working surfaces for slip and trip hazards;
• Upgrade lighting if necessary so there are no dimly lit work areas; and
• Consider using lifting devices or other mechanical aids to multiply the workers' strength.

Conclusion

Older workers can be a true benefit to employers and employers can reap that benefit simply by making some minor changes to the workplace. If employers enact the suggestions we have just listed, they can gain an added bonus. In accommodating the older worker, they'll also help make the workplace safer for workers of all ages. And that, after all, is what we are ultimately trying to accomplish.

POINTERS FROM LAURYN

By Lauryn Franzoni

4 Tips for Responding to a Job Ad Via E-Mail

1. Refer to the job you're applying for in the "subject" line so the recipient knows what the note is about.

2. Use only the salutation line (Dear Ms. Smith), not the full mailing address as you would in a paper letter.

3. Make sure you address any additional requests for information in the job posting or ad. If you don't, your note is likely to get screened out.

4. Always send a copy of your resume along with the note, either as an attachment or by pasting it right into the text.

Wishing you career success,

Lauryn Franzoni

ExecuNet
www.execunet.com

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