Older employees: Clichés vs. reality

Let’s talk about money first: Yes, older employees tend to earn more on average than their younger colleagues – because they bring years of professional experience and therefore command a higher base salary. But the gap is not nearly as large as some believe: According to the 2022 Swiss Earnings Structure Survey conducted by the Federal Statistical Office, the median monthly salary difference between 30 to 49-year-olds and the "50 plus" group is just 511 francs. Statistically speaking, significant salary increases tend to occur earlier in a career – after age 50, salaries typically stabilize.

Social security costs are another factor. Older employees do incur higher expenses in this regard, as pension fund retirement credits increase in steps.

For instance, the additional cost for a 55-year-old compared to a 45-year-old is 3 percent. However, the actual burden on the employer is lower, since they usually only cover half of the costs. In addition, there is also a coordination deduction. For example, with the Swiss median salary of 6,788 francs, this means the real difference comes down to just 68.75 francs per month.

The facts: Differences between the sexes outweigh differences between age groups

Are older employees more expensive? Slightly. But they also tend to be more loyal and can draw on a wealth of experience. Long-serving employees in particular often have an enormous amount of knowledge. This knowledge is not limited to specialist aspects of their role; it also includes insights into the interrelationships within the company. That kind of understanding can be extremely valuable. By contrast, the higher turnover of younger employees brings both direct and indirect costs. In addition, the difference between the sexes – across all professions – is more significant. Even for women over 50, the median salary is still 359 francs lower than that of men aged between 30 and 49. Of course, no one would suggest employing only women just because they statistically cost less.

Are older workers off sick more often? According to data from the Federal Statistical Office for 2023, the absence rate for employees aged 55 and over is actually above average: 4.1 percent compared to 3.4. However, age is just one of several factors. Gender, nationality, industry, company size, and hierarchy level also play a significant role.

The facts: Age is just one of many factors behind sick leave

If the number of days of absence is considered an indicator of resilience, then older employees are indeed sick more often on average. So this prejudice contains a kernel of truth. But resilience also has other dimensions: Thanks to their greater life experience, older people often remain calmer in crisis situations because they have already overcome many challenges. And factors like personal circumstances and physical fitness also matter just as much as age. A physically fit 58-year-old who bikes to work every morning is presumably less likely to catch a cold than an exhausted young father who is regularly exposed to viruses going around in preschool.

Everyone knows or has known an older colleague who says, whenever something new is introduced, "Forget it. We tried that 20 years ago and it didn’t work then, so it won’t work now." It can be frustrating to hear such comments, but they may be worth listening to. The counterpart to these so-called inflexible older workers is the young, dynamic university graduate who "knows everything", but unfortunately only in theory. Older employees can be worth their weight in gold, especially when it comes to change and project work. Their wealth of experience often enables them to foresee potential stumbling blocks and avoid risks. This only works, however, if both employer and employee approach change with a positive mindset.

The facts: Diverse perspectives bring added value

The alleged lack of flexibility among older employees is often a matter of perspective. After all, 55-year-olds have different life experiences and are at a different stage in life than 25-year-old managers. It should not be underestimated that older employees, with their concerns, sense of nostalgia, and reflective mindset, represent the feelings of an increasingly large group of customers in the same age range. For this reason, among others, they should be taken seriously. You may come across extremely curious and open-minded 63-year-olds, or encounter jaded apprenticeship graduates: Ultimately, flexibility is not a question of age, but of individual attitude.