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Elevate Magazine
February 1, 2025

How Kiwi Companies Can Support Older Employees

senior working

Photo Source: cottonbro studio

New Zealand’s ageing workforce is reshaping employee retention and development strategies. Kiwi businesses need to respect senior staff expertise and accommodate their needs for sustained success and employee satisfaction.

Here’s how businesses can ensure older or senior workers remain integral to their teams.

Cultivate Open Communication

A culture of open communication is vital for older employees to feel valued. Regular feedback sessions provide insight into any challenges they may face, such as health issues or workload concerns. Managers should proactively engage older employees to identify potential accommodations early.

Training managers on age-inclusive communication helps reduce biases and fosters respectful dialogue. Conducting anonymous feedback systems can also ensure employees feel safe to voice concerns.

Implement Flexible Work Arrangements

Flexibility is crucial for retaining older employees, particularly those with health concerns or caregiving responsibilities. Customised work hours, remote and hybrid options, and phased retirement programmes support older employees by reducing stress and offering a better work-life balance.

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare exemplifies this by providing flexible work options and career development opportunities for employees of all ages.

Enhance Workplace Ergonomics

A comfortable, accessible work environment is key to maintaining older employees’ productivity and well-being.

Regular ergonomic assessments can optimise workstations, and adaptive technologies (e.g., screen magnifiers, speech-to-text software) can improve efficiency.

Attention to lighting and acoustics also helps reduce strain, especially for employees with vision or hearing impairments, lowering the risk of injuries.

Promote Lifelong Learning and Career Development

Digital literacy training helps them stay current with technology, while mentorship programmes foster knowledge sharing across generations.

Continuous education is crucial for keeping older employees engaged. Companies that are providing career advancement opportunities, including leadership roles and skill development, ensures older employees feel valued and see a future within the organisation.

AFT Pharmaceuticals excels in this by offering flexible work hours and mentorship for employees at all stages of their careers.

Prioritise Health and Wellness

A strong health and wellness programme supports both the physical and mental well-being of older employees.

Comprehensive health benefits, stress management resources (e.g., mindfulness workshops), and physical activity initiatives (e.g., gym memberships) help employees maintain energy and productivity, while promoting a healthy lifestyle.


Recognise and Leverage Institutional Knowledge

Older employees often possess invaluable institutional knowledge. Recognising their contributions through awards or incentives boosts morale and loyalty.

Involving them in strategic planning or advisory roles taps into their expertise for better decision-making. Encouraging them to contribute to training materials or document best practices ensures their knowledge is passed on.

The Warehouse Group exemplifies this with initiatives such as leadership training on inclusivity and regular feedback sessions.