Employers choosing baby boomers over 'snowflake' generation

Research from Benenden Health shows

Adam Saville
clock • 2 min read

Over a third of SME business owners would sooner recruit a 55-year-old than a 24-year-old with same CV

Thirty-six percent of employers would choose someone from the baby boomer generation compared to a fifth (20%) who would opt for a millennial, a study of 1,000 small-to-medium enterprise (SME) owners by Benenden Health has revealed. Data showed business leaders described younger employees as ‘snowflakes' with ‘lower productivity', ‘higher absence rates' and ‘a poorer grasp of the English language'. The study, which also surveyed 1,000 employees, also found that half (56%) of generation Z employees (aged 16-23) felt they had been overlooked for roles due to their age compared to 47% of...

To continue reading this article...

Join COVER for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, key trend analysis and industry insights.
  • Stay on top of the latest developments around health and wellbeing, diversity and inclusion and the cost of living crisis.
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletter.
  • Members only access to monthly programme 'The COVER Review'
  • Be the first to hear about our CPD accredited events and awards programmes.

Join now

 

Already a Cover member?

Login

More on Employee Benefits

Epassi appoints Antonio Barradas to expand growth

Epassi appoints Antonio Barradas to expand growth

Responsible for UK operations and Zest

Jaskeet Briah
clock 13 August 2026 • 1 min read
New principal international consultant for Everywhen

New principal international consultant for Everywhen

Hannah Parry takes the role

Cameron Roberts
clock 12 August 2026 • 1 min read
Half of employees want more personalised health and wellbeing support

Half of employees want more personalised health and wellbeing support

Vitality research findings

Jaskeet Briah
clock 06 August 2026 • 2 min read