After years of facing age discrimination, older workers are experiencing something of a heyday as employees are increasingly hiring them.

According to a new report by The Wall Street Journal, employees are hiring more and more older workers after years of dealing with a younger generation that continues to disappoint.

“The learning curve is a bit longer,” says Kip Conforti, a business owner hiring for a package-shipping job. “But once they get it, God, it’s refreshing. I say, ‘This is what we’re doing today,’ and it gets done. Their shift starts at 9 and they’re here at 8:50. It’s their work ethic.”

Conforti isn’t the only business owner turning to older workers.

“There’s a willingness from this group to work the opening shift or to close down for the day, to cover during lunches and breaks or even be on call as needed,” says Travis Trautman, KinderCare senior talent acquisitions director. “I could go on and on about the value and benefits.”

The trend helps explain, at least in part, data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics showing that individuals aged 55 and older comprise one of the fastest-growing segments of the job market.

Obviously, being in high demand isn’t the only factor, with economics, inflation, and changing circumstances playing a role. Nonetheless, for the first time in a long time, older workers are being hired because of their age, not despite it.

Johnny C. Taylor Jr., chief executive of the Society for Human Resource Management, agreed the trend certainly signals a decline in age discrimination.

“With the economy slowing down, companies need fewer people and need the people who are there to be OK with working hard,” Mr. Taylor told WSJ. “Instead of trying to convince younger generations to be something different, some companies are saying, ‘Why don’t we just go hire people who are naturally predisposed to work harder?’”