Valuing older workers in the voluntary sector

Abstract

Purpose

This paper reports on research into the employment of older workers, paid and unpaid, in the voluntary sector. It draws on six case studies which were the research focus. The research was designed to test the hypothesis that the voluntary sector has been in the forefront of utilising the knowledge, skills and talents of older workers and to draw out practical guidance for other organisations in this and other sectors.

Design/methodology/approach

The author consulted over 30 people with a known interest in older workforce issues and/or employment in the voluntary sector and, from these discussions, identified six organisations to be the subject of structured telephone interviews. The interviewees were all at chief executive or senior management level.

Findings

The research confirmed that older workers, whether they are paid employees or volunteers, are of great value to the voluntary sector. This is because of their life experience and skills and, particularly in the case of volunteers, their availability and flexibility. The six organisations on which the research focused provided excellent examples of good practice. However, this does not generally involve employment policies and practices with a specific focus on older workers but, rather, policies and practices which embrace older workers.

Originality/value

Earlier research has usually focused on the private and public sectors. South East England Forum on Ageing wanted this project to focus specifically on the voluntary sector and this decision was vindicated by the fact that, in searching the literature and discussions with authorities, the author did not identify previous research on older workers specifically focused on this sector.

Citation

Wilson, N. (2013), "Valuing older workers in the voluntary sector", Working with Older People, Vol. 17 No. 3, pp. 109-116. https://doi.org/10.1108/WWOP-05-2013-0011