Nearly three quarters of over 50s would consider a career in hospitality but most believe businesses in the sector prefer hiring younger people, new research suggests.
A survey of 1,000 older jobseekers by Rest Less found that most said their age would count against them.
Stuart Lewis, chief executive of Rest Less, which offers advice to older workers, said: “Older workers are understandably frustrated at facing long-term age-related barriers to remaining in and/or re-entering the workforce.
“However, with the hospitality sector searching hard for reliable, talented workers at the same time as unemployment is rising amongst older workers, now is the perfect time for hospitality businesses to seize the moment and address the misconceptions about hiring older workers.”
A Government spokesperson said: “Older workers are a huge asset to our economy, with an extra 200,000 over-50s added to company payrolls in the last year alone.
“That’s why we’re focused on removing barriers by investing in employment and skills support for this cohort including through the development of a new pilot hospitality employment scheme, giving them the tools to stay in or return to work.
“Employers play an important role too which is why we recently announced plans to increase occupational health take-up and encourage businesses to offer flexible roles so they can tap into the experience older workers bring to the workforce.”
