Commitment and experience: supermarket reports benefits by increasing hiring of people 60+

In Ribeirão Preto (SP), a supermarket has focused on hiring professionals aged 60 or over and already maintains around 10% of the establishment's employees in this age group.

The initiative follows a trend in the state of São Paulo. Between 2019 and 2026, the number of people aged 60 or over in the job market grew by 26%, according to data from the State Data Analysis System Foundation (Seade). In total, there were 411 thousand more workers in the period.

According to the store manager, Wanderlei Donizete da Silva, hiring more experienced people brings benefits to the entire team, especially through the exchange of knowledge between generations.

"First, commitment, attendance, dealing with staff, with the public we work with. There are customers who prefer to go to their cashier, and they even help me talk to younger people about attendance."

Cashier Miguel Calabria, 73 years old, was hired eight months ago. For him, work is an opportunity to keep his mind active and monitor what is happening around him.

"I want to work to occupy my mind more and stay informed on all matters. It's been very enjoyable for me, it's a good learning experience for me."

Seu Miguel working at the cash register at the market — Photo: Reproduction/EPTV

Experience and exchange between generations

Cashier Gilda de Oliveira has been part of the team for two decades. At 74 years old, she continues to work and says that the experience gained throughout her life has contributed to increasing her sense of responsibility.

"It's not the same thing it was 20 years ago, but I take my stroller and go with it. I think we become more responsible at this age, we have more commitment to what we do."

Cashier Karina Kelly Ogioni also highlights the commitment of her older colleagues and their willingness to continue working.

"The issue of commitment, development and overcoming, because even at their best age they are still willing to be here working with us and performing their role."

For career consultant Rodrigo Fonseca, the presence of professionals of different ages contributes to creating a more diverse work environment.

According to him, exchanging experiences allows younger and older employees to learn from each other.

"It's important to mix experiences a little, because both older people can learn from younger people and vice versa. This mix works well so you have a more diverse environment."

Gilda has worked in the market for 20 years — Photo: Reproduction/EPTV

Fighting ageism

In addition to exchanging experiences, hiring people over 60 also requires attention to ageism, known as ageism.

According to consultant Rodrigo Fonseca, companies need to prepare teams to avoid discriminatory behavior and recognize the professional capacity of older workers.

"The important thing is to be aware that this will cause a change in your work environment and prepare your team to avoid that type of prejudice that we call ageism, of looking as if people don't have the ability to work, because they are more experienced."

The expert also points out that the persistence of older people in the job market is related both to the willingness to continue exercising a profession and to the need to supplement their income.

"Nowadays, older people are able to work longer, they have more vigor to continue in the job market. This also comes from a need to supplement their income. They have their costs, they have the issue of health insurance, medicine, all of this weighs on their pockets and this supplement ends up coming in handy."

For Gilda, continuing to work does not mean stopping enjoying life. She says she balances her professional routine with travel and leisure time.

"Sometimes people say, 'it's time for you to go for a walk, enjoy life'. And I make the most of it in any way I can and while I work I make the most of it, I travel on my holidays too, I take walks on my days off and that's it."

Hand of an elderly person — Photo: Reproduction/EPTV