Positive: ‘We put experience and attitude before age when hiring’

EMPLOYEES over 50 years of age bring experience and a positive attitude to their roles, the manager of a large supermarket store has said.

New figures show more than 200 employers have availed of the Government’s JobsPlus scheme designed to bring people aged over 50 back into the workforce.

But Owen Kennedy, manager of the SuperValu store in Killester, Co Dublin, said he needed no incentive to hire older staff members in his store as their drive and experience speaks for itself.

“We hired two people in the past couple of months and the most recent person hired is 63,” he said. “We definitely believe they’re more experienced. It’s the experience and attitude for us and age isn’t an issue.”

The store employs 149 workers in full and part-time roles and across a variety of departments, with 19 of those being accounted for by staff over 50.

“Somebody of that age is keen to get back into the workforce and they have a good positive attitude and they’re friendly with our customers.

“Our business is built around customer service so we look to see if they had those roles before and what kind of varying roles they’ve had.

“People of that generation are a big part of the community and that is a big focus for us around here,” he said.

“That’s important for customers as well as staff.”