Barriers to the employment of older hotel workers in New Zealand

ABSTRACT

This study identifies barriers to employing older workers in the New Zealand hotel industry and their causes by examining the views of older workers and managers in New Zealand hotels alongside data on Human Resources policies, recruitment methods, and selection criteria. Using questionnaires, data were collected from 44 hotel managers and then semi-structured interviews undertaken with hotel employers and older workers. Frequency analyses identified trends and a thematic analysis of interview data revealed themes relevant to the research questions. The hotel industry was found to be discriminatory toward older works in both principle and practice, even though some hotels' policies addressed age discrimination and older workers were identified as having the characteristics sought in new hires. As recommendations include the need to change attitudes at senior level, further research is required to identify ways to encourage an age-diverse workforce and the benefits likely to be accrued.

KEYWORDS:

• age
• discrimination
• employment
• hotels
• human resources
• New Zealand