According to the Institut de la statistique du Québec, rising living costs across the province are driving a notable increase in older adults remaining in the workforce, with the employment rate for individuals aged 65 to 69 rising from 17% to 26% over a ten-year period. Jean Savard, a 70-year-old resident of the South Shore of Quebec City, returned to work at a Best Buy location in the Galeries de la Capitale to supplement his income and maintain an active lifestyle.
Financial Pressures and the Decision to Return to Work
According to Jean Savard, broad economic pressures and rising everyday expenses motivated his return to employment. “We realize that things have been expensive for a few years now. Everything is going up. Working two to three days a week provides essential financial support for housing and personal interests. Savard lives in an apartment with his son in his twenties and uses his earnings to fund his long-standing passion for audio and video technology.
Savard previously spent approximately thirty years working as a marketing consultant in the financial sector before retiring at age 57 to reduce stress levels. After spending a year resting and completing home renovations, he initially returned to the workforce as a library clerk before securing his current retail position. According to Savard, he has now spent nearly ten years at Best Buy earning slightly above the provincial minimum wage, which sits at 16,60 $ l’heure following an adjustment on May 1st.
Connecting Retirees with Flexible Employment
To address the growing number of seniors seeking post-retirement employment, organizations are launching targeted job platforms. Karine Roussy, general manager at GIT Services-conseils, noted that many retired individuals want to keep working but under different arrangements than their primary careers. According to Roussy, older workers frequently seek part-time hours, temporary mandates, and flexible scheduling opportunities. GIT Services-conseils recently launched a specialized employment platform designed specifically to match companies with retired workers looking for these flexible arrangements.
Daily Work Experience and Social Engagement
At the Galeries de la Capitale Best Buy store, Savard works as a greeter, a role that matches his decades-long interest in audio equipment. His daily responsibilities include welcoming visitors and directing them to the appropriate retail departments. Savard stated that customers regularly compliment his interpersonal skills and friendliness.
“I also like my interactions with my colleagues and my superiors. I feel appreciated. If I wasn’t happy, I’d be somewhere else,” Savard said. He added that his primary motivation for staying on the job is remaining active, healthy, and connected with people while still enjoying good health.
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