The labor market is not only for young people. As much as the world population is aging, the improvement of the quality of life of society makes us increasingly active seniors and engaged in their personal routines and even professionals. The inclusion of these talents in the corporate environment moves what we call silver economy, something that, although it has been growing more and more around the world, still deserves greater attention so that this public is properly inserted and welcomed in companies.
According to an estimate by IBGE, the number of elderly should exceed that of young people by 2031. For the first time in our history, the Ageing Index (IE) will be greater than 100, that is, there will be 102.3 elderly for every 100 young people. This is a direct reflection of the active longevity of the population through healthier habits, greater care for physical health and medical advances, which also positively impacts on better mental health, less expenses with medicines, and a much more willing life as a whole.
In addition to this social and health benefit, the increase in life expectancy has also triggered a greater search for these people to remain professionally active 'IT IS something that is extremely advantageous for companies. After all, something that these talents have to spare is accumulated experience and maturity acquired throughout their trajectory, with greater emotional intelligence in dealing with everyday issues, better understanding of professional relationships and maintaining them in the long term.
Parallel to this, when a professional has lived different economic scenarios from heated economy, recession, inflation, deflation, even governments of different positions, all this makes him develop a better reading of the scenario, analyzing what he has already experienced as a basis for knowing what works or not.
All these attributes are something that no university or master's degree teach, but that are built in our professional background. And that, even, is usually insufficient in many young talents who are entering the market, who do not have years of experience, nor maturity, experience and behaviors necessary for a more structured view on various corporate issues.
Still according to IBGE data, by 2050, Brazil will reach a population of more than 40 million people over 60 years. Instead of removing them from the market, making them feel useful, inserting them in companies bringing their experiences in favor of adopting more assertive strategies will generate achievements not only financial, but also in a social context and so that they feel useful and remain active in areas that please them.
In this adaptation to the corporate routine, however, some care must be taken. In many cases, the arrival of these talents will not have a natural synergy, and will require special attention from companies and other members, since obstacles can be created, even by the senior professionals themselves.
There is still a strong belief in many of them that their advanced age will not bring positive achievement for companies, unsure that they will not be able to contribute to operations and achieve the goals set. These fears can cause them to reach headquarters apprehensive about their performance, which can be avoided not only through self-understanding and appreciation, as well as internal actions promoted for this arrival, encouraging and recognizing them as to their achievements at work.
On the part of younger professionals, the lack of sensitivity is a risk to be considerable, which will also require companies to take actions that demonstrate the importance of these seniors for business performance and how much they can both work and learn together. In the end, it will take empathy, effort and respect from both sides for this movement to bring mature fruits for all involved.
A diverse professional environment is not only one that values gender inclusion, but also what brings the ageism internally. Those who learn to deal with heads that think differently and have different perspectives, but when cared for and valued by all, will certainly increase the achievement of the expected results.
