The hospitality sector had an acute staff shortage
It’s not so long since older people found themselves edged out of the workplace by younger workers, or struggled to find a new career pathway in later life. But now, in an inspired initiative in the Lake District, mature workers are being head-hunted by companies in the tourism and hospitality sector, as they are short-staffed. The situation is particularly acute in the Lakes, where the tourist season now extends across most of the year, but the traditional recruitment field of students is restricted to the summer vacation. The Lake District Hotels Association (LDHA) is now actively looking for staff aged 50 and over, to work in a wide range of careers, full and part time. Like many employers, they are recognising that hiring older workers makes good business sense, as the more mature can offer a host of benefits.
Tracey Cragg, Recruitment and Membership Co-ordinator at the LDHA said: “There’s an array of opportunities the industry has, suited to the 50-plus age group. They might be looking for a new post, or they might be early retirees who may be looking to top up their incomes, keep socially active but only work limited hours a week.”
A more diverse workforce has benefits for businesses, including better problem-solving, increased productivity, and smart decision making. It’s acknowledged that older workers may pick up skills from younger employees while, in return, younger ones can benefit from the experience of older colleagues.
A significant portion of the UK workforce is over 50
According to research by the British Business Bank, in 2020 there were 9.3 million workers in the UK aged between 50 and 64, a significant portion of the working population. The UK’s ageing population means this figure is likely to increase further in the coming years, giving employers the chance to tap into a larger pool of often underused talent. It’s not surprising to learn that the employment rate for this age group has increased over time, from 55.8% in 1984 to 72% in 2020.
Interviews with some of the people involved gave valuable insights
Amber Burnip, a senior recruitment consultant, told us: “Employers value the work experience that an older generation can bring to their workforce, along with their exposure to working in changing and challenging markets, and dynamic cultures, as well as the maturity of life experience and people management.”
There are recognised benefits for people to continue working as they grow older. You don’t have to retire when you reach state pension age, and there are many advantages to working in later life. But it’s not just about money, about topping up an income. Other advantages are that if you’re still fit, enjoy your role and want to keep working, there may be other benefits for your wellbeing, including mental stimulation, a structure to your days, social contact and friendship, status and identity, and a sense of purpose.
The Independent Age organisation points out that there’s no official retirement age, and you can’t be forced to retire, except in some jobs such as the fire service. If you decide to stay on, there are benefits to your employer. They’ll save on recruitment and induction costs, and many employers value the skills, experience and reliability of older workers.
Research carried out in the USA found that older adults, who work part-time after retirement, have fewer serious diseases, including high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and psychiatric problems, as well as some cancers. The researchers at WebMD, an online service about healthy ageing, advised that retirees should consider picking up a part-time job that’s different from what they did during their full-time careers. When you stay busy and continue challenging yourself they say, you are less likely to get dementia. The key is to do something that keeps you busy but doesn’t add extra stress to your life. And working a part-time job after retirement gives you the chance to meet new people and make new friends.
Sailing into a new age
Retired businessman Stuart Isaac spends a couple of days a week working on the water of Lake Windermere. For a former sailor, it’s the dream part-time job, after he found that full-time retirement wasn’t for him. “It was a bit of a shock when my wife and I found we were spending all day every day together for the first time. We still go walking and cycling together, but we both needed some independence.” So Stuart, now 68, works Fridays and Saturdays for Windermere Lake Cruises, based at Waterhead near Ambleside. He sells tickets, serves refreshments, helps tie up the boats, and crews for skippers out on the lake on the launches. “There’s never a dull moment. I love chatting with the tourists on board, I’m able to answer questions that they have, it’s a really enjoyable job.”
Keeping mind and body active
He had his own business in the Midlands, and when he sold up to a larger company he and his wife decided to move north after spending many holidays in the Lakes. They bought a house in Kendal, and decided not to renew their passports after years of travelling the world. “We don’t need to go anywhere else. We walk, we cycle, we have all the joys of the Lake District. Every week we can discover somewhere new.” He’s found other older people working on the boats, some of them semi-retired or working part time, and they have their own social group and go walking together. “Yes, the work can be quite physical, but it’s far better to keep moving as you get older.”
Dorothy Chittenden is 68 but has no intention of retiring yet. She’s a duty manager at the Burn How Garden House Hotel in Bowness, and is 15 years into her second stint of working there, having spent 13 years at the hotel earlier in her career. “I wouldn’t want to turn into a blob, a TV addict,” she says with a laugh. “I love working and it definitely keeps the brain active as well as the body.” She enjoys the company of other staff, particularly the younger ones who, she says, give a fresh perspective on their business. Among them is 22 year old Jack Robinson from Chicago, who is at the start of his career in hotels…and is a star cocktail-maker. “I’ve made good friendships here, and not just with the staff,” says Dorothy. “We have a lot of repeat visitors and it’s lovely to see them coming back.” And her supervisor, hotel manager Linda Aird, is categorical about the benefits of employing older workers: “They have more loyalty.”
Social benefits
Mark O’Toole, 61, from Barrow, is a staff minibus driver for the Lakeside Hotel at Newby Bridge. He’s been with them for 16 months, after previously working as a private hire driver, and now does a minimum of 30 hours a week. Mark says it’s important to keep working as you get older. “It’s the social aspect. I wouldn’t want to become isolated.” He drives staff in from a wide area of the South Lakes and Cumbria, including Barrow, Ulverston and Walney Island, so his daily routes are across the best scenery. He sees the high turnover of younger staff in hospitality, and believes that older people are more flexible. “I’ve been asked to start at 5am tomorrow morning, and that’s fine for me, I’ll just go to bed earlier. But for people with young children, that’s not possible. Older staff are valued by employers for their flexibility and the experience they can bring to roles.”
Great summing up by Lake District businesses
Paul Cookson, general manager at Ambleside’s Salutation Hotel, said: “Around 25% of our staff are over 50. We definitely take on older workers.” Joe Cobb, group operations manager for Lake District Country Hotels, said: “We have some cracking over-50s in our team.”
The LDHA is organising an informal drop-in session at the Low Wood Hotel on Thursday 5 December 2024. Anyone interested is invited to come along and chat with local businesses, as well as experiencing the festive atmosphere at the hotel. Book here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/discover-new-opportunities-at-any-age-tickets-1061489205789?aff=oddtdtcreator
Fore more information about the LDHA: https://www.reallakedistrict.co.uk/hotels.aspx
