Are Older Workers Recognised as Talent? Evidence on Silver Talent Management
Dissanayake Mihirani 
Abstract
The rapid ageing of the global workforce, often described as the “silver tsunami,” is reshaping organisational talent dynamics as experienced employees exit at retirement. While the notion of productive ageing reframes retirement as a potential second-stage career, organisations continue to face uncertainty in how to engage and manage older workers within existing talent systems. This creates an opportunity for organisations to develop talent management strategies that identify, attract, develop, and retain senior employees while promoting age inclusiveness. Although prior literature highlights both the opportunities and challenges associated with an ageing workforce, there remains limited empirical insight into how employers interpret and operationalise these dynamics in practice. Against this backdrop, this study examines how organisations perceive and manage older workers as a source of talent. Drawing on qualitative evidence from business organisations in Sri Lanka, the paper explores approaches to identifying, attracting, developing, and retaining older employees, with attention to the extent to which these practices reflect age-inclusive intent. The findings reveal largely informal and reactive practices, where older workers are valued but not systematically integrated into talent management systems. The study contributes by bridging the gap between the strategic importance of aging workforces and the limited institutionalization of age-inclusive talent practices, providing a basis for future research and practice in Silver Talent Management.
Keywords: Silver Talent, Successful Aging, Silver Talent Management, Age-inclusive Strategies, Sri Lanka
Volume 17, Issue 1
June 30, 2026
Pages: 125-146
DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/cbj.v17i1.225
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Suggested citation:
Mihirani, D. (2026). Are Older Workers Recognised as Talent? Evidence on Silver Talent Management. Colombo Business Journal, 17(1), 125–146. http://doi.org/10.4038/cbj.v17i1.225
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Dissanayake Mihirani
Survey Research Lanka (Pvt) Ltd., Colombo, Sri Lanka