HOW ARE BUSINESSES DEALING WITH A MATURING WORKFORCE?

What Value Do Older Workers Bring To the Job?

By Jack Etzel

As a nation, we are not only living longer, but we’re often working longer. According to the Social Security Administration, the longevity of men and women on average has increased a seemingly modest five years when compared to 1940, the year the first Social Security payments began. But that added ‘half a decade’ has put a new, older face on the workplace.

Age discrimination laws have shone a spotlight not only on discrimination, but also indirectly have encouraged many workers to continue working, if only part-time. In addition, recent amendments to the original legislation have virtually eliminated mandatory retirements. Turning 65 is no longer associated with planting yourself in a rocking chair on the front porch and watching the world go by.

To gather some firsthand understanding of the dynamics currently appearing in the workplace, North Hills Monthly talked to one of the area’s largest employers, Baierl Automotive. Within its nine automobile franchises, the firm currently employs 403 full-time people and 93 part-time workers for a total of 496 employees. Bob Baierl is the general manager and vice-president of operations.

North Hills Monthly Magazine: Out of your nearly 500 employees, how many would you say are older? Let’s say 50 years of age or more.

Bob Baierl: At the present time, and to give it a round number, there are approximately 190 employees who are age 50 or older. That’s well over one-third of the total workforce. More than 30 percent of our employees fit into that category.

NHMM: People differ regardless of their ages, but are there any particular values that older employees seem to bring to the job? Is there really something different about them?

Baierl: Yes. I’m 37, so I come from a generation that takes its knocks when those of my age and younger get tagged as people who lack a truly good work ethic. What I do find with some of the more seasoned staff is that they’re very committed. When you need a job done in a certain amount of time, they bring that work ethic that you look for in a good employee. It gets back to having a commitment. The commitment means that they look at their work as their profession. They want the business to be successful so that they can be part of something that is good.

NHMM: How does this compare to a younger worker?

Baierl: The much younger person sometimes seems to look at the job as just something temporary, and probably has not fully decided what, if anything, they want to consider as a profession.

NHMM: In what ways does this commitment in older workers manifest itself?

Baierl: It’s a combination of things. The older workers really do tend to be on time. Then there’s that element that when you ask them to do something, they put more into it. They do the job to the very best of their ability, and not just try to get through it. They tend to not just get it done, but bring something personal to it. It’s personal pride, I suppose. And that’s good. I really haven’t explored or studied to see whether they take more time off. As a group, I don’t think so.

I think they see themselves as a real part of the culture of the company. For example, you can see it in the way they come across when they interact with customers. That goes on whether they’re at the parts counter or on the floor. From a manager’s standpoint, they really care about promoting the values that we have.

NHMM: I would think that the older employees could be a living example to the younger ones.

Baierl: I have a couple of older people on our sales staff who have been here quite a while and do fall into this over-50 category. When you pair them with some of the younger people we bring in, they do act as mentors. But that’s also a two-way street. They can learn from each other. The guy who’s been here for a long time can do a nice job of helping the new salesperson. The newer person is nearly always more technologically oriented. (Laughing) Some of the old dogs don’t want to play that game, but they eventually come around, and both learn new things.

NHMM: Do some of your older workers continue to work because they have to financially?

Baierl: I can’t say that that doesn’t occur, and I think there may be some who need the extra money and some who really need the benefits, but I think the majority of them simply want to work.

NHMM: Who’s the oldest employee you have?

Baierl: We have people in their seventies, and we have a parts driver who is 83. He knows his stuff. If someone anywhere in the region needs a part, even in the South Hills, he knows the way and delivers it.