What does this mean for employers? Gioia contends that older workers will remain in the workforce, but often on their terms.
"We´ll see a shift in employer thinking---away from hire-the-young to a more balanced approach with stronger emphasis on the older workforce. Post dot.com crash employers have realized that the workers who can most effectively get businesses through tough times are those with the most experience --- those who have lived through a few economic cycles. Older workers with maturity, stability, experience, and desire to work will become a treasure. They have the knowledge, know-how and insight that is very hard to replace. As a result, we´ll see a lot of creativity in how employers collaborate with older/experienced workers to get work accomplished." Gioia forecasts that we will see employers:
- Adopting flexible work arrangements.
- Providing training for updating skills.
- Training supervisors to work with a multigenerational workforce.
- Encouraging team building across ages and cultures.
- Offering expanded or reduced shifts.
- Providing more opportunities for temporary and part-time work.
- Implementing phased retirement
Joyce Gioia is a professional futurist and forecaster concentrating on workforce and workplace trends. CEO of The Herman Group, Greensboro, NC, he is lead author of the Business Best Seller, Impending Crisis: Too Many Jobs, Too Few People. For more information, contact Gioia at (336) 282-9370 or via email at joyce@hermangroup.com.
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