Bosses want hard workers-so they're hiring older people

Kip Conforti is hiring for a part-time position at one of two package shipping stations that he owns in Pennsylvania. He's filled such roles with high school and college students during two decades in business, but this time his top candidate is a man in his 70s.

- Callum Borchers

Mr. Conforti has grown weary of younger employees who, he says, arrive late for shifts, call out of work often and spend more time scrolling social media feeds than chatting with customers. About a year ago, he tried something different-recruiting people who are more likely to carry AARP cards than the latest iPhone.

"The learning curve is a bit longer," he says, "but once they get it, God, it's refreshing. I say, 'This is what we're doing today, and it gets done. Their shift starts at 9 and they're here at 8:50. It's their work ethic."

Older workers are in demand at a growing number of companies. Perceptions of generational differences don't always match reality, but three-quarters of people 65 and older said in a Wall Street Journal-NORC survey of Americans' values last month that hard work is very important to them personally. Among 18-to-29-year-olds, 61% said hard work is very important.

So much for youthful ambition.

People 55 and older are the segment of fastest-growing the workforce, according to federal data. Demographic shifts help explain the trend people are living longer and having fewer children and some retirement-age folks have little choice but to work because of inflation and a weak stock market.

But certain businesses are targeting seniors on the premise that age is an asset.