Our team of experts fields real-life, everyday questions from HR managers and gives practical answers that can be applied by any HR pro in the same situation. Today’s question: How can we hang on to older, experienced workers who seem ready and willing to retire?
Question:
We have a lot of older, experienced workers who are quite knowledgeable and productive. Many of them have been making noises about retirement soon, and we’re concerned about all that experience walking out the door.
Any ideas on what we can do to keep them?
Answer:
First, realize that people are going to retire, says recruiting expert Annette Cummings. There are efforts you can make to keep them a while longer, but sooner or later, you’re faced with the same problem — they leave.
So, as a start, try to make sure your older workers are involved in projects they’re interested in. That’ll keep them for as long as possible. And as much as possible, allow them to work part-time or flexible schedules that suit their lifestyles.
As for the longer term, your supervisors should try to make sure that sharp younger workers are teamed up with the veterans so that the knowledge and experience will be passed along when the vets eventually leave. That’s really the only way to ensure your organization doesn’t suffer from “brain drain.”
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