Monday 15th January, 2007
NEW ROCKY FILM TO CREATE OAP JOBS SURGE
ASDA braces itself for thousands of new applicants
ASDA is expecting a big increase in the number of older people applying for jobs following the release of the latest Rocky Balboa film this weekend.
Employment experts are predicting that the new movie, which shows Rocky coming out of retirement once again, will also encourage hundreds of retired people to get back into the employment market .
The supermarket is already the biggest private-sector employer of older people in the UK, with over 30,000 employees aged over 50 years. Many are over 80-years old.
Said ASDA spokesman Dominic Burch: "This film shows that, just because you’re old, it doesn’t mean you’re on the ropes.
"We may not need old fighters but ASDA is always on the look out for great 'boxers' – first class assistants who will help customers pack their shopping.
"We value older people for their experience, reliability and willingness to help.
"And just like Rocky, we don’t have a retirement age. You don’t have to throw in the towel just because you’re old."
The film, starring aging actor Sylvester Stallone, playing a 60-year-old Rocky, goes on release this weekend.
Said ASDA's Dominic Burch: "Regardless of how well the film does at the box office, Sly has reached the age where we’ll be happy to give him a job on one of our checkouts. And he can even bring his mum too."
ENDS
Notes for Editors
The ASDA workforce represents all ages, genders and ethnic groups and our people policies reflect that.
A range of award-winning flexible working packages allow colleagues to achieve a balance between their family, learning and religious commitments.
Examples of Family Friendly Working include:
Child care leave - available for parents to stop work for a short period during the summer holidays, returning later with continuous service and maintained benefits
Shift swapping schemes - available for colleagues needing to be absent from work for specific family or domestic reasons
School starter scheme - a unique scheme that allows parents to take a half day holiday on their child's first day at school
Emergency family leave - Reasonable time off to deal with family emergencies which may arise.
Grandparents’ leave - On the birth of a grandchild, grandparents are often involved in carer duties. To help with this up to a weeks leave is available
Job share - To help managers balance home and work life
Parental leave – parents may stop work for a short period of between one and 4 weeks per year or extended leave of up to 8 weeks during summer holidays
IVF Leave - In June 2003 ASDA was Britain’s first company to launch paid leave for colleagues undergoing fertility treatment. The new leave packages came after feedback from colleagues who said they wanted to be more open about such treatment and asked ASDA to play a part in relieving the stress that naturally accompanies IVF treatment.
Flexible Working for Students, Carers and Career breakers - it's not just parent who need flexibility and ASDA recognises that with the following leave packages such as:
Career break - Colleagues can take a career break of up to 2 years.
Store swapping schemes - available for students wishing to work in their study store as well as in their home store.
There to care leave - Colleagues can take up to 26 weeks leave to care for a sick or elderly relative or friend.
It’s my Day - Launched to celebrate ASDA’s 40th birthday. Colleagues can take a day’s unpaid holiday to celebrate an event special to them.
