A businessman has revealed all the staff at his firm are above the age of 50 as he believes older workers have more ‘sense’ and know how to get things done.
Peter Stewart, 64, who runs Aberdeenshire pest control firm Aberkil, has denied having a prejudice against young people despite all of his workers ranging from the age of 55 to 71.
He admitted that while he was once accused of treating youngsters unfairly, he gives everyone an equal opportunity.
Peter, who also does giggs as a Louis Walsh lookalike, explained that pest-control wasn’t for the faint-hearted and claimed that he has previously hired 30-year-olds who couldn’t hack the job.
He added that in his experience many youngsters are ‘shy’ and unable to ‘look him in the eye’, while others are easily distracted by their phones, meaning they unable to keep up with the fast pace of the job.
Peter Stewart (pictured), 64, who runs Aberdeenshire pest control firm Aberkil, divulged that his tends to be older because they bring a sense of ‘maturity’ and ‘trust’ to the firm
Although some have questioned whether he has a preference for older staff, The Aberkill boss is adamant that it all boils down to the interview
He told MailOnline: ‘They [older staff] can look you in the eye and speak to you.
‘I find that a lot of the youngsters are shy and there’s nothing wrong with that – they just haven’t matured, they can communicate with customers.
‘I’m not saying it works out well all the time but the problems in the past have been people in their 30s who couldn’t hack the job. You are working all day.
‘There isn’t time to be sitting on looking at mobile phones or Facebook it’s on to the next job.’
It isn’t only pesky and slimy pests you have to be ready for, you have also got to be prepared for customers from all walks of life, according to the entrepreneur.
‘In our industry we deal with all sorts of people very elderly people, young people professional people, teachers, so maturity and trust is essential.’
Praising his ‘adaptable’, ‘magnificent’ and ‘compassionate’ team, Peter confessed he has ‘absolute trust’ in his employees and doesn’t monitor them closely despite having trackers.
‘They jump in their van, the supervisor gives them their work load and they go and get on with it,’ he said.
‘I find that a lot of the youngsters are shy and there’s nothing wrong with that – they just haven’t matured, they can communicate with customers,’ he said
‘I know it wouldn’t be going right if I got customer complaints and touch wood we don’t get many of them.
‘I know some will watch their trackers all day and be like why were you five minutes late – I couldn’t live like that.’
Although his older workforce functions like a well oiled machine, the pest industry business hasn’t always been plain-sailing for Peter.
Originally a one-man team, the former tank driver, who drove through a divided Berlin in 1981, joined the industry after a troubled childhood and poor performance at school.
‘I went to this funeral, and a teacher of mine aired his frustrations with us,’ he said.
‘It was the best thing that will happen and everything came through by age 27.’
However his first pest control business came crumbling down after a divorce at the age of 42.
But after a few years of living as a lorry driver in a metal porta cabin in London, Peter returned to Aberdeen to start over.
Peter confessed he has ‘absolute trust’ in his team and rarely monitors them because they just ‘get on’ with the job at hand
Peter slowly built up a new pest control service while reducing his truck driving hours from full to part time – and even employing staff.
‘I came back and I got the van and thought it would just be me working, but it grew quick. It grew too quickly,’ he joked.
Although his business was proving to be fruitful once again, Peter experienced a close brush with death and required a triple bypass at 57.
Describing it as the ‘most vulnerable moment of his life’, Peter said: ‘I had three blocked arteries. When I met a surgeon they told me: “You should be dead”.’
Following the ordeal, Peter was not only thankful for his health and the ability to work – but also for his Aberkil team who helped pull him through.
‘I had an ex-navy supervisor – very intelligent guy – at the time and while I was lying in hospital he ran the business for me.
‘He died aged 49. It broke my heart. It really hit home, especially aged 64 myself.’
Tearfully reminiscing on the good times with his ex-employee, he added: ‘I’d like to think all my employees have had a great time with me.’
However his pest control journey hasn’t always been smooth sailing as he was forced to close his first business after a divorce and financial woes (stock image)
However he quickly bounced back after a short stint as a lorry driver in London and his team quickly grew (stock image of cockroaches)
And it such is true as many of Peter’s employees are still keen to work for him despite being eligible for retirement.
71-year-old Nathan, came out of retirement because he was ‘bored’ and soon began working for Aberkil.
The former helicopter pilot in the Malaysian Army has been dubbed ‘an incredible worker’ by his boss.
Peter said: ‘If I had ten workers life that than wow what a workforce. He’s a really great guy. The customers love him.
‘After I put him up for an award somebody tried to poach him – at the age of 70!’
Peter’s current supervisor, 57, is also a huge ‘workaholic’ and ‘grafter’, having sometimes rung him at 9pm at night while still on the job.
But his most recent edition to the team – a 55-year-old pest control worker – is always keen to work and do overtime, according to the entrepreneur.
One company even tried to poach his 71-year-old team member because his reputation among customers was so exemplary (stock image)
Another staff member who was previously in the prison service revealed he felt ‘far too young’ to call it a day on the world of work just yet.
Peter believes he would struggle to get a new job at his age let alone his 71-year-old staff member.
‘I’d probably have no chance, but I’d urge employers to look past age, and not to think of older people as done for,’ he told the i.
‘I know so many people in their late fifties being made redundant, who think it’s the end of the world. Don’t forget, loads of us can and want to work, and I urge older people to never give up.
‘We bring life experience, and that counts for a lot. Youth is wonderful, but it isn’t everything.’