RETENTION   VALUING HR   MATURE WORKERS

Singapore - Older workers may face challenges when adapting to the workforce due to their different expectations in the speed of which business should be conducted.

However,  three companies who recently won the 2009 AARP International Innovative Employer Awards last Thursday say that older workers are experienced, mature, committed and responsible.

The three winners, Housing & Development Board (HDB), National Healthcare Group (NGH) and Royal Plaza on Scotts (RP on Scotts) were lauded for their HR policies in retaining employees over 50.

According to Eileen Ang, director of HR at RP on Scotts, communication plays a vital role in helping older workers adapt to their environment.

Adopting an open communication channel, the hotel holds junior board meetings on a monthly basis to encourage interaction among staff and to resolve any concerns or issues.

Also, the company has a system of pairing older workers with their younger co-workers so they get to learn about new technology, such as creating spreadsheets.

Olivia Tay, NHG's chief HR officer, agrees with the importance of communication on boosting the morale of these workers, saying that the company has shared possible opportunities with them. "I think from their point of view, having the information gives them a lot more comfort," she says.

Further, NHG holds annual inter-institutional games each year, where lateral divisions are deliberately created so older workers can play alongside and bond with their younger colleagues.

However, despite companies facing budget cuts due to the economic crisis, Kee Swee Huang, deputy director of HR management at HDB noted the company does not cut trainning although there had been a reduction in employees' salary within the organisation.

Regardless, the company still offers an annual 'rigid training budget' of S$500 to employers age 50 and above. Workers can use this budget to attend courses such as financial planning to prepare themselves for retirement.

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