Fuller’s bid to get older people back to work

19-Oct-2022 - Last updated on 19-Oct-2022 at 14:43 GMT

Experience counts: Fuller’s says older people ‘bring an exceptional level of customer service and consumer interaction’

London-based pubs and hotels operator Fuller, Turner & Smith (Fuller’s) has launched an initiative to get older people back into the workplace.

In a partnership with Rest Less – a digital community and advocate for people in their 50s, 60s and older – Fuller’s has begun posting specific positions on the platform’s job board across its businesses and geographical area.

Fuller’s people & talent director Dawn Browne said: “We have always had a number of older workers in Fuller’s but this is the first time we have specifically targeted this area of recruitment with a bespoke campaign.”

Exceptional level of service

She continued: “Older workers have a lot to offer us – and we have a lot to offer them – with shift lengths and work patterns to suit. We are very much a people business, and the older generation bring an exceptional level of customer service and consumer interaction.

“We already have a number of older workers, including some octogenarians, among our team members and it would be great to increase that number. Around a third of the UK’s workforce is over 50, yet we only have around 10% within our 5,000 employees. I’m really looking forward to seeing this partnership move that dial.”

Rest Less chief executive Stuart Lewis added: “We are delighted to partner with Fuller’s to support its recruitment strategy to hire more older workers. Many workers in their 50s and 60s left employment during the pandemic but a large number are now considering a return to work.”

Flexible opportunities

He continued: “Flexible work is an important draw for ‘midlifers’ who sometimes need to fit work around caring responsibilities or simply because they want to pursue other interests alongside their day job. We’re excited to highlight the many flexible working opportunities available at Fuller’s to our 1m members.

“Older workers have a huge amount to offer businesses and yet are often overlooked by recruiters. Experience, wisdom, loyalty and reliability are just some of the common attributes that many older workers bring in spades – which is great news for Fuller’s and its customers.”

Fuller’s operates 207 managed businesses with 1,030 boutique bedrooms and 178 tenanted pubs.