When employers look to fill vacant positions, they look through the various types of candidate pools that are out there. With Millennials and Gen Z taking over the workplace, older generations are being left in the dust, but a new partnership is putting Baby Boomers back on recruiters’ radar.
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McDonald’s to Partner with AARP
McDonald’s recently announced that it will be partnering with AARP to help fill vacant positions throughout its organization this summer. In a blog post on AARP’s website, contributor Kenneth Terrell says, “The fast-food giant is collaborating with AARP to help it connect with the older adults it hopes can fill some 250,000 summer jobs available nationwide.”
Terrell adds that McDonald’s has also signed the advocacy organization’s Employer Pledge, in which companies acknowledge that they value the experience older workers bring to the workplace. McDonald’s joins more than 1,000 other employers who have signed AARP’s pledge to commit to ensure that workers of all ages are given real opportunities.
“We’re thrilled that McDonald’s has signed AARP’s Employer Pledge,” says Susan Weinstock, AARP’s Vice President for financial resilience—in a blog post on AARP. “We know that employees and employers across all industries succeed when they remain committed in words and in action to hiring and maintaining an age-diverse workforce. Integrating these workers with their younger staff can often bring unexpected benefits.”
When it comes to putting a spotlight on recruiting older workers, Andrew Challenger, Vice President of global outplacement and executive and business coaching firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc., doubles down on the benefits of hiring these seasoned workers.
“This is wise on the part of any company who wants workers with not only on-the-job experience and institutional knowledge, but also significant and valuable life experience,” Challenger says in a recent press release.
Boomers Are Back
Contrary to popular belief, Millennials and Gen Z aren’t necessarily taking over just yet! According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) adults ages 55 and older are the fastest-growing segment of the workforce. Terrell reports that by 2024, this group of 41 million Americans will represent 24.8% of the civilian labor force.
The nation’s low unemployment rate and an appreciation for the maturity and professionalism of workers ages 50 and over are among the reasons why companies are turning to older adults to fill their employment needs, Terrell adds.
According to Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc., older jobseekers will definitely be competing with teens for these new McDonald’s jobs. While just 35% of teens participate in the labor force, opportunities grew by 7.8% last year. In a tight labor market, companies may be aggressively seeking teens, as well as more experienced workers.