Steve Barnes is reporting for the Times Union teens are being replaced behind the counter at fast-food restaurants by seniors. Barnes cites a report from Bloomberg stating that restaurants are recruiting in senior centers and churches, and placing want ads on the AARP website. Recruiters say older workers have soft skills, such as a friendly demeanor and punctuality, their younger colleagues sometimes lack. The factors contributing to the trend are a labor shortage and the inclination, or need, for older Americans to keep working to supplement their often-meager retirement savings. Between 2014 and 2024, the number of working Americans aged 65 to 74 is expected to grow 4.5 percent. At the same time, the number of workers aged 16 to 24 is expected to shrink 1.4 percent, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.