Hiring questions - Can you continue working in late 60's and 70's?

[kettlemanjim]

Is the effective working age more of an issue for heavy physical work such as construction labouring? I'm interviewing a retirement age builder for a long term job working with me.

 

[sxturbo]

my wifes grandad up until recently when cancer started to take its toll on his body, was as fit as a fiddle and was no weaker than me, he is currently aged 88, he worked everyday as a gardener and tree surgeon, guys built like an ox.

my dads also 60, and shows no sign of slowing down or getting weaker, although he does take more caution than he used to.

we've also got a couple of guys in there 60's building and servicing ship engines and rig safety engines,

so in my view i wouldnt see an issue at that age, especially if you already think that highly of him after an interview.

 

[mikeey84]

My FIL is in his 60s, and a life of hard graft means he outcasts me and my friends in our 30s/40s when we have worked on projects together.

He won't be running any marathons, but in terms of general building work, he is worth twice a diyer in my experience (not counting the knowledge/experience factor)

 

[kettlemanjim]

my wifes grandad up until recently when cancer started to take its toll on his body, was as fit as a fiddle and was no weaker than me, he is currently aged 88, he worked everyday as a gardener and tree surgeon, guys built like an ox.

Probably the fellow I'm seeing is fitter than me. I've been flying a desk the past couple of years and have noticed how unfit I am

 

[sxturbo]

I've been flying a desk more or less the past couple of years and have noticed how unfit I am

i feel ya on that

 

[Mottie]

If he hasn’t had a break he should be fine. It’s when you stop you have trouble starting again!

 

[^woody^]

Lizzie is still grafting

I also think there are employment laws preventing discrimination on age

 

[stuart45]

Lizzie is still grafting

I also think there are employment laws preventing discrimination on age

She packed up carrying the hod 2 years ago though.

 

[Charlie George]

She packed up carrying the hod 2 years ago though.

I thought Prince Philip was still alive.
My carrier is in his sixties,he has got very forgetful recently though.

 

[^woody^]

She packed up carrying the hod 2 years ago though.

She must have been on good rates if she could afford to do that.

 

[stuart45]

I thought Prince Philip was still alive.
My carrier is in his sixties,he has got very forgetful recently though.

Forgets to put any bricks in the hod?

 

[Notch7]

Probably the fellow I'm seeing is fitter than me. In my mind I've already hired him as I'm not interviewing anybody else and he's travelling a fair way. Thanks for your thoughts on the matter!
I've been flying a desk more or less the past couple of years and have noticed how unfit I am

I'm currently working together in a joinery workshop with my old site manager.
He is 67 and has plenty of stamina and energy.

I would say it has much more to do with integrity, natural stamina, work ethic and skill than age.

Finesse can drop off a bit as people's eyesight and mental agility decline.....but TBH youngsters can be devoid of both anyway!

I hope he works out well for you.

 

[Mobo_14]

My labourer is 72

He’s been there seen it all and is worth half a dozen 16/17 year olds.

only thing is I have to give him a hand loading out when it’s the 140s

but aye no substitute for experience

 

[endecotp]

I'm interviewing a retirement age builder for a long term job working with me.

Anyone who is involved in recruitment should familiarise themselves with the basics of employment discrimination law.

 

[frutbunn]

One of the local builders I knew, his dad retired as a diesel fitter at 65, took a week of work and started for his son 5 days a week, last time I saw him he was 73 and was lifting the bottom courses (diminishing courses so they were the biggest ones) of a stone slate roof onto the roof, it was below freezing on a remote farmhouse right up in the Pennines.