A businessman has revealed that all of his company’s staff are over the age of 50, as he believes older workers have more ‘sense’ and know how to get things done.
Peter Stewart, 64, who runs pest control company Aberkil in Aberdeenshire, has denied having a bias against young people, despite all his employees being aged 55 to 71.
He admitted that although he was once accused of treating young people unfairly, he gives equal opportunities to everyone.
Peter, who also makes appearances as a Louis Walsh lookalike, explained that pest control was not for the faint of heart and claimed he had previously hired 30-year-olds who couldn’t hack the job.
He added that in his experience, many young people are “shy” and cannot “look him in the eye”, while others are easily distracted by their phones, meaning they cannot keep up with the fast pace of work.
Peter Stewart (pictured), 64, who runs pest control company Aberkil in Aberdeenshire, revealed he tends to be older because they bring a sense of ‘maturity’ and ‘confidence’ to the business
While some may question whether he has a preference for older staff, the Aberkill boss is adamant it all comes down to the interview.
He told MailOnline: ‘She [older staff] can look you in the eye and talk to you.
‘I notice that many young people are shy and there is nothing wrong with that; they just haven’t matured yet, they can communicate with customers.
‘I’m not saying it always works well, but the problems in the past were people in their 30s who couldn’t get the job done. You’re working all day.
‘There’s no time to sit around looking at mobile phones or Facebook, it’s on to the next job.’
Not only do you have to be prepared for annoying and slimy pests, but you also have to be prepared for customers from all walks of life, according to the entrepreneur.
‘In our industry we deal with all kinds of people: very old people, young people, professional people, teachers, so maturity and trust are essential.’
Praising his ‘adaptable’, ‘magnificent’ and ‘compassionate’ team, Peter confessed that he has ‘absolute trust’ in his employees and does not keep a close eye on them, despite having trackers.
“They jump in their van, the supervisor gives them their workload and they get to work,” he said.
“I notice that many young people are shy and there is nothing wrong with that – they are just not mature yet, they can communicate with customers,” he said
“I know it wouldn’t go well if I got complaints from customers and when I touch wood we don’t get much.
“I know some people will look at their trackers all day and say, why were you five minutes late? I couldn’t live like this.’
Although his older workforce functions like a well-oiled machine, the pest control industry has not always been smooth sailing for Peter.
The former tank driver, who drove through divided Berlin in 1981, was originally a one-man team and entered the industry after a difficult childhood and poor performance at school.
“I went to this funeral and a teacher of mine expressed his frustrations to us,” he said.
“It was the best thing that could have happened and at 27 everything was done.”
However, his first pest control business collapsed after a divorce at the age of 42.
But after a few years living as a lorry driver in a metal porta-cab in London, Peter returned to Aberdeen to start over.
Peter confessed that he has ‘absolute trust’ in his team and that he rarely keeps an eye on them as they just ‘get on with their work’
Peter slowly built a new pest control service, while reducing his truck driving hours from full-time to part-time – and even employing staff.
“I came back and packed the van and thought I would just be working, but it grew quickly. It grew too fast,” he joked.
Although his business once again proved fruitful, Peter was confronted with death at the age of 57 and had to undergo a triple bypass.
Describing it as the ‘most vulnerable moment of his life’, Peter said: ‘I had three blocked arteries. When I met a surgeon, they said to me, ‘You should be dead.’
After the ordeal, Peter was grateful not only for his health and ability to work, but also for his Aberkil team who helped him through it.
“I had an ex-Navy supervisor at the time – a very intelligent man – and while I was in hospital he ran the business for me.
‘He died at the age of 49. It broke my heart. It really affected me, especially when I was 64.”
As he tearfully reminisced about the good times with his ex-employee, he added: ‘I’d like to think all my staff had a great time with me.’
His pest control journey wasn’t always smooth sailing, however, as he was forced to close his first business after a divorce and financial problems (stock image)
However, he quickly recovered after a short stint as a truck driver in London and his team grew rapidly (stock image of cockroaches)
And that’s true, because many of Peter’s employees still want to work for him, even though they are entitled to a pension.
Nathan, 71, retired because he was ‘bored’ and soon started working for Aberkil.
The former helicopter pilot in the Malaysian army has been called ‘an incredible worker’ by his boss.
Peter said: ‘If I had a life of ten employees, wow, what a workforce. He’s a really great guy. The customers love him.
‘After I nominated him for an award, someone tried to poach him – at the age of 70!’
Peter’s current supervisor, 57, is also a huge ‘workaholic’ and ‘grafter’, who has sometimes called him at 9pm at night while he was still at work.
But according to the entrepreneur, his most recent addition to the team – a 55-year-old pest controller – always wants to work and overtime.
One company even tried to poach its 71-year-old team member because his reputation with customers was so exemplary (stock image)
Another previously incarcerated staff member said he felt “far too young” to have had enough of the working world.
Peter thinks that at his age he would struggle to find a new job, let alone his 71-year-old co-worker.
“I probably wouldn’t have any chance, but I would urge employers to look beyond age, and not think that older people are over,” he told the i.
‘I know so many people in their late 50s who are getting laid off, who think it’s the end of the world. Remember, many 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 beautiful, but it’s not everything.’