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Balanced Teams

If you’re running a business or team, you are facing a critical challenge with the aging Alberta workforce. One in four individuals in Alberta are now aged over 55. Within a decade, a quarter of all Canadians will be over the age of 65.

Age demographics are shifting. Skilled workers are retiring. As a result, we’re facing potential labor shortages and skills gaps which could impact the sustainability and growth of your business.

The good news? Balanced teams, made up of workers from across generations, are better teams. They reduce turnover, lower hiring costs, and make it easier to transfer the knowledge that keeps your organization ticking. They bring together diverse perspectives. They find new solutions.

To stay competitive and ensure a balanced and diverse workforce, it is crucial for your business to adapt by implementing strategies to attract, retain, and value older workers. Your team can leverage their skills, experience, and work ethic, while also facilitating knowledge transfer to younger employees.

But it’s not just about the bottom line. It’s about creating workplaces that respect and value individuals of all ages. Ageism and biases can unknowingly creep into our hiring practices and workplace cultures. The lack of policies that consider older workers can make the difference between retaining those valuable and skilled employees and driving them into retirement and creating difficult-to-fill gaps in the workforce.

The time to start is now

By asking yourself a few questions, arming yourself with some information and taking some positive steps, you can create a balanced team where mature workers and your business can both thrive.

Understanding ageism

Ageism, a form of discrimination based on age, is often an overlooked challenge that can subtly infiltrate our perceptions and actions. This bias may not always be intentional, yet it can have real effects on both employees and the workplace culture. For business owners and HR professionals, understanding and addressing ageism is not only the right thing to do, but it can also contribute to a more vibrant, diverse, and productive workforce.

Remember, addressing ageism doesn’t mean placing blame—it’s about learning, growing, and creating a workplace where everyone is valued and has the opportunity to contribute.