Gardens for All Supply Company: Older Workers as a Tactical Advantage for Business

Abstract

Gardens for All Supply Company (GASC) focuses on providing environmentally friendly supplies and basic tools needed to be a successful gardener. GASC started with four full-time employees and gradually grew to 57 full-time and 33 part-time employees. By the end of 2012, it had 90 employees, the average age of which was 47. GASC's hiring and training had been successfully accomplished informally by the four co-owners and through family and friends, all of whom had some knowledge of and commitment to gardening. Turnover was well below 10 percent. By the end of 2013, GASC had added 17 employees, including 14 in customer service and three in the warehouse. The company focuses its recruitment efforts at local colleges and career fairs. Thus, the average age of employees is 32. But with additional expansion planned for the coming year, the company needs to consider its staffing needs in light of multiple generations in the workplace, specifically considering how the company can gain advantage by leveraging older workers.

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