In an examination of management attitudes and perceptions towards older employees in hospitality
management, Magd (2003, p.395) concludes that “Many hospitality organisations have realised the value
that older workers bring to their organisations and have begun aggressively recruiting them”. However,
only catering-industry examples (such as Pizza Hut) are given. Magd’s (2003) research focused on small
and medium hospitality firms in Scotland and employed a postal questionnaire. This could be considered a
methodological weakness since much age-discrimination is subtle and would not be identified using such a
method. Moreover, only 25 questionnaires were returned and, as the questionnaire was completed by the
owner or managing director of the firm, it is likely that the results present a biased view of older workers in
the hospitality industry. The research is useful, however, in that it identified the perceived benefits and
disadvantages of employing older workers.