A 67-YEAR-OLD has told how it is great to still be working beyond pension age with her company saying they benefit from a range of staff.

Gillian Smith described how happy she is to remain busy working at McDonalds as new research showed that a multigenerational workforce is good for companies.

Gillian is a Customer Care Assistant at the Brighton Marina restaurant and she likes her job.

She said: "I have been at McDonald’s for a long time and really enjoy my role here.

"I love working with such a diverse mixture of people, especially the younger generation.

"As one of the older members of staff I feel I bring tolerance and patience to the team and I am always willing to help someone in need. I have had the chance to meet some very interesting (and famous!) people."

A report was carried out by McDonalds, who commissioned a census of 5,000 people representing each of the five working generations.

It highlighted:

- The opportunity to work with people of different ages was a key priority for 66 per cent of people born before 1964 compared to 44 per cent of those born after 1980

- A staggering 72 per cent of respondents born between 1980-1998 would value having an older mentor at work, compared to 56 per cent of those born between 1965-1979.

- Mutually, 71per cent of those of retirement age or above enjoy the opportunity to coach younger colleagues

Gillian's boss Franchisee Ismet Turen - who owns six restaurants across Brighton, Newhaven and Burgess Hill and has been a franchisee for 23 years - says it is important to employ staff who offer a wealth of experience and knowledge as well as a fresh perspective.

He said: "Everyone from staff members to the customers can benefit from working with people of all ages.

"Gillian is a highly valued member of the team and is very popular with her fellow crew members and regular customers. I admire her dedication and the positive effect she has on everyone."

Claire Hall, Chief People Officer, McDonald’s UK, said that the value of a multigenerational workforce to business is not as well understood as it should be.

She said: "People join McDonald’s for different reasons but what they want from their jobs is the same: a flexible, fun working environment and to meet and learn from others.

"The skills we look for such as teamwork, time management and good communication aren’t the prerequisite of any particular age group and appeal to people from every walk of life.

"As these insights show, teams that bring together a mix of people of different ages and at different life stages are fundamental to creating a happy and motivated workplace and to delivering a great customer experience.

"The age range of our people now spans an incredible 75 years. Diverse and committed teams will remain at the heart of our business and I hope other employers will recognise the benefits."