An older employee concerns

I have on my team a person who has been with the company 30 years. This person is still a great worker and the company has no criticisms to make of the person’s work or the way they relate to younger workers. In fact, I feel quite embarassed to say that we want the person to retire. The reason is, we are about to introduce a totally new system into the company and we feel this employee may not adapt well to the new system. Any ideas? PL

 

Hi PL,

The company certainly owes this person some consideration for the years of loyal service.

I’m having to make a few assumptions here – I’m going to assume that the employee is 50+, maybe nearer to 60.

Let me ask you a few questions…

Do you know what the employee enjoys about working for your company which has kept them there so long?

Is it the actual work? Is it social interaction with co-workers? Is it need for income? Is it lack of anything else in their lives? Is it fear of retirement.

Your answers to those questions would point the way for you.

Your worse situation is if the person is in financial need – you have a problem because they won’t voluntarily give up vital income. I’ll leave that scenario hanging.

Talk to your bosses and one or two people who have a long service with your company and try to get some background and get back to me.

Elizabeth