Recognising the Value of Experienced Staff in Modern Workplaces

Respect in the workplace often feels like a buzzword tossed around in training sessions and policy documents. Yet, for many experienced staff, especially those who have spent decades in their fields, respect can seem elusive or even absent. After completing a compulsory staff development course on Creating Respectful Workplaces, I found the experience disappointing and simplistic. It did not reflect the real challenges faced by seasoned employees, particularly in educational institutions where respect for experience often feels undervalued or ignored.

This post explores respect for experienced staff in modern workplaces. It highlights why respect matters, the barriers older employees face, and practical ways organisations can foster genuine respect that values historical knowledge and experience.

Why Respect Matters for Experienced Staff

Respect is more than polite behaviour or following rules. It is about recognising the value someone brings to the workplace. For experienced staff, respect means:

• Acknowledging their knowledge and contributions

• Valuing their historical perspective on the organisation

• Including them in decision-making and change processes

• Providing opportunities for meaningful engagement and growth

  
  

When respect is missing, experienced employees often feel sidelined or invisible. This can lead to disengagement, loss of valuable institutional memory, and higher turnover rates.

The Cost of Ignoring Experience

Organisations that overlook the importance of respect for seasoned staff risk losing more than just employees. They lose:

• Critical insights into past successes and failures

• Mentorship opportunities for younger staff

• Continuity in culture and values

• Trust and morale across teams

  
  

Ignoring these factors can create a workplace culture where experience is feared rather than valued, as if it threatens new ideas or leadership.

Empty university corridor symbolizing overlooked experienced staff

Challenges Experienced Staff Face in Modern Workplaces

Many experienced employees encounter specific challenges that undermine respect:

1. Ageism and Stereotypes

Older staff often face assumptions that they are resistant to change, less tech-savvy, or less productive. These stereotypes can lead to exclusion from projects or professional development opportunities.

2. Organisational Changes and Restructuring

Frequent restructuring is simply designed to wrong-foot staff. Any change creates stress. Change often marginalises experienced staff, especially when organisations prioritise hiring younger employees who are less likely to ask questions and are seen as more adaptable or cost-effective.

3. Simplistic Training and Development Programs

Staff development courses sometimes fail to address the real issues experienced workers face. For example, a course on respectful workplaces might focus on basic etiquette without tackling deeper cultural or systemic problems.

4. Lack of Recognition for Historical Knowledge

Experienced employees often "know where the bodies are buried"—they understand the organisation's history, pitfalls, and successes. When this knowledge is ignored, it diminishes their role and can lead to repeated organisational mistakes.

Practical Ways to Foster Respect for Experienced Staff

Creating a respectful workplace for all employees requires intentional actions. Here are some practical steps organisations can take:

Encourage Intergenerational Collaboration

• Create mixed-age teams to combine fresh ideas with historical knowledge.

• Promote mentorship programs where experienced staff guide newer employees.

  
  

Recognise and Celebrate Experience

• Highlight contributions of long-serving staff in newsletters or meetings.

• Offer awards or acknowledgments that focus on experience and institutional memory.

  
  

Design Inclusive Training Programs

• Develop staff development courses that address the specific needs of experienced employees.

• Include discussions about ageism, respect, and valuing diverse perspectives.

  
  

Involve Experienced Staff in Decision-Making

• Invite seasoned employees to participate in committees or planning groups.

• Seek their input on changes that affect their work or the organisation’s future.

  
  

Provide Opportunities for Growth

• Offer training that updates skills without assuming a lack of ability.

• Support career pathways that recognise experience as an asset.