A presentation made during the Mature Worker - Employer Forum during Alberta Works Week in May 2013

1. An Untapped Resource
Alnoor Damji

2. • Changing demographics
• Profile of the mature worker
• Misconceptions
• Advantages
• Best practices
An untapped resource by Alnoor Damji
An Untapped Resource

3. An untapped resource by Alnoor Damji
In 2008 a baby boomer turned 50 every 7 seconds!
What does this mean for Canadian business? It is a fact that for every two baby
boomers who retire, there is less than one person to take their place. It is projected that
by 2015 more than ¼ of the current workforce will retire. This is a challenge for which
there needs to be both short & long-term solutions. Both developed & developing
countries are experiencing similar demands for skilled labour.

4. Demographics
An untapped resource by Alnoor Damji
• Aging population
• Declining birthrates
• Increased longevity
• Shortage of skilled
and readily available
workers

5. An untapped resource by Alnoor Damji
Phil Jarvis, 2012, The
Perfect Storm; The CC
Engage Solution

6. An untapped resource by Alnoor Damji
Rick Miner, PhD, 2012, Jobs of
the Future: Options and
Opportunities
In “People with jobs; jobs without people” Miner said, “The “perfect
labour storm” is affecting businesses considerably, particularly small
and medium-sized organizations. While many business owners
understand that on-the-job training & flexibility are key components for
attracting and retaining talented people, they are often limited in the
time, resources and finances required to implement these important
components.”

7. Profile of the mature worker
o Live longer
o Good health
o Physically active
o Tech savvy
o Well educated
o Traditional values
An untapped resource by Alnoor Damji

8. Misconceptions
An untapped resource by Alnoor Damji
Mature workers:
• do not embrace technology
• want more pay
• are rigid
• do not get along with the
younger employees
• have less stamina & energy
• will not put in overtime
• are in it for a short stay
• are accident prone
• take more sick days
• are not as innovative as
younger workers

9. Advantages
An untapped resource by Alnoor Damji
Mature workers bring:
• Loyalty
• Experience and knowledge
• Stability
• Focus
• Maturity
• Work ethic

10. Best practices in hiring mature workers
An untapped resource by Alnoor Damji
o Think ‘ability’ and not age
o Multigenerational Workplace –
a workplace where 4
generation of employees
working together
o Flexibility – in communication,
roles, benefits so as to attract
mature workers
o Mentoring and Reverse
Mentoring – knowledge
transfer

11. How to attract the mature worker?
o Job sharing
o Contract / Seasonal /
Part Time
o Tele-comumuting
o Sabbaticals
o Flex time
An untapped resource by Alnoor Damji

12. o Network – face to face and social
media networking
o Affiliations – professional
association, university alumni,
churches and senior groups
o Publications – such as Kerby news,
CARP, etc.
o Mature Worker Websites –
http://thirdquarter.ca/en/
http://retiredworker.ca/
http://encorecareers.org
An untapped resource by Alnoor Damji
Where to find the mature worker?

13. What are employers saying?
“Working in a very young and active field (rehabilitation) the
one constant is that many clinicians can execute their own work
without any issue but they lack the understanding of workplace
culture and team dynamic. They struggle to understand the
difference between a co-worker and a friend. Mature workers
help set that bound and help the Team remain cohesive despite
change and fluctuation. Younger staff also lack in maturity
regarding responsibility, ownership, and customer service for
their work. Often the mature worker is naturally the one
younger staff gravitate toward for mentorship and to learn all
the things they didn’t learn school about being in the real
world.”
Dr. Elisabeth Saxton, R. Psych.
Senior Manager, Clinical Practice
Clinical Psychologist
OrionHealth – Calgary
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14. What are employers saying?
“I have been fortunate to hire mature workers and find that they
have maturity and experience of their skills where applicable.
Mature workers are incredible at promoting age tolerance and
accepting the younger generations. I find their confidence and
communication skills, honesty and integrity are integral to
running an effective organization.
My customers appreciate and have confidence in the advice they
are given with someone with life experience. “
Hanz Mulji, B. Science
Director
Shiba Investments - Calgary
An untapped resource by Alnoor Damji

15. What are employers saying?
“Mature workers
bring more stability
to work place and
bring in different
work ethics”
Rozy Allidina, B. Science
Pharmacist, Owner/Operator
Bridgeland Pharmacy, Calgary
An untapped resource by Alnoor Damji

16. Thank you
Alnoor Damji | B. Mgmt HR & IR
Alnoor Damji Coaching and Consulting
(587) 899-7868 | damjialnoor@yahoo.ca |
ca.linkedin.com/in/alnoordamji/