Ages of staff

Ages of staff

by: whmon - 07-09-12 19:22

In another forum that I subscibe to (nothing to do with nurseries) a post was added concerning optimum ages of employees. My thoughts are that older employees are more likely to benefit the operation due to their loyalty and work ethics. While it is true that a field like ours needs constant innovation and training (which older employees are also capable of- do you think that older employees are better (if you can get them) or do you feel that younger employees have more stamina?

by: Jam

I think you should have a mixture of ages of staff. While alot of older staff possibly have alot more common sense and commitment to their job and alot of years of experience, they are also likely to find work more tiring, maybe with less patience, whereas younger staff have newer ideas and hopefully more energy. I am in my 50's and head a team of staff who are all over 40 except for 3 who are under 30. Most of the team have excellent work ethics while a few of both ages do as little as possible. Older staff also offer better continuity for the children as they are less likely to leave to get married or start a family of their own. 

by: Eejay

I find this ("older employees are more likely to benefit the operation due to their loyalty and work ethics") quite insulting. I'm a 23 year old who's just done 5 days of approximately 12 hour shifts to help the nursery out at a time when they really needed it. Older employees are not necessarily more loyal - I'm sure there are as many decent young people too. As for "continuity for the children" - what about those older people who have families of their own? When their children are sick they often have to take time off. I've managed to go 16 months without a day off "sick" because I don't have as many commitments as others.

by: EMMA!

Couldn't agree with Emily more! Spot on my thoughts! Everyone offers different skills whether or not they are young or old!! We have a mixed team and it works really well x

by: stormgirl

There are many benefits to having both younger & older team members so  I think a mixed age team works best.

It is really hard to generalise, I don't think you can say older staff are always better or worse,  same with younger. They both have their own set of issues- and terrible staff can be found at any age. 

One factor I haven't seen as much in younger staff- is sometimes older staff can get more 'stuck in their ways and resistent to changing practice. That can be pretty frustrating, but if they are also surrounded by younger staff who are willing to 'give it a go' eventually they will get on board to save face.

by: Maestro

I find its the personality of the staff rather than the age. A lot of older staff are stuck in the "old ways" and are just to ignorant to accept change. This is despite completing training courses. Its a battle sometimes, just as much as it is getting younger staff to think holistically and not focus on specific areas of work to try and excel. To me a good member of staff can work well in all areas to a good standard, not work in one area to an excellent outstanding standard.

Having an open mind to accept change is the biggest challenge in aged employee, the majority both young and old feel they know everything and anything. Young people are fresh from college and have completed various placements with good reports and therefore, why change! Older people have done college and umpteen years experience adn they've got this far, why change!

There's no optimum age in my opinion, although I do like the age in which they realise that socialising is not living for the weekend party's and drunken shennanigans!