Part 4: The Advantages of Older Workers

by KYW's Pat Loeb

In the past 15 years, the number of workers over age 65 has doubled, and federal labor officials expect the trend to continue.

Experts say staying on the job offers advantages to seniors -- and their employers.

(Kermit Jordan at work:)  "Welcome to Walmart! How you doing today? You're looking fantastic, honey!"

Meet Kermit Jordan. If you shop at the South Philadelphia Walmart, you may have already.  With his thick white hair, sparkling blue eyes, and ebullient greeting, he's hard to miss.

He's also 90 years old.

"One reason I don't want to retire is because I find it a pleasure to try to entertain.  And I enjoy it.  My thing in life is people -- I love people!"

Most seniors who keep working say they do it for the social interaction.  And employers rate their social skills higher than those of younger workers.

In fact, Peter Capelli (right), a Wharton management professor and co-author of the book Managing the Older Worker: How to Prepare for the New Organizational Order,  says older workers do better on virtually every area of job performance:

"Absenteeism is lower, turnover is lower, in job performance appraisals they do better, everything they do better."

Still, says Capelli, older workers face discrimination.  One big problem, he says, is that younger managers don't like the idea of supervising someone older and more experienced.

Kermit's supervisor, Jon Lombardo, says he's seen that discomfort in others but he had no misgivings about Kermit:

"I said, 'I'll get you on board here because you're outgoing, you're the kind of person we want to have here.'  And I've never looked back. I'm so thankful to have him on board here."

(Kermit:)  "And I appreciate working for Mr. Lombardo, yes I do."

(Kermit, back on the job:)  "Come on in, save money, live better, honey -- that's our philosophy here. You're looking great!"

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