Greater life expectancies and lower fertility rates mean that global populations are ageing, with one in six people in the world expected to be 60 or over by 2030 (World Health Organisation, 2022). And, across the globe, older people make up a growing proportion of the workforce – one in three workers are over 50, with this set to increase to four in 10 by 2040 (International Longevity Centre UK, 2020).
However, older workers often decide to leave work due to health and safety concerns. Despite their valuable experience, for a variety of reasons related to the physical demands of certain jobs, workplace environments, and age-related changes in health. These factors, combined with employer attitudes and workplace policies, can contribute to older workers leaving the workforce earlier than they may want to.
As populations age, more employers are realising the benefits of supporting a multigenerational workforce.
Being an age-friendly employer involves creating a workplace that values the skills and experiences of employees across all age groups, particularly older workers.
The Centre for Ageing Better has launched a nationwide programme to create a more age-inclusive workforce. Employers signed up to the age-friendly pledge commit to:
- Show leadership by identifying a senior sponsor for age inclusion
- Ensure age is specifically named within equality, diversity and inclusion policies
- Create an age-friendly culture
- Hire age-positively and encourage career development at all ages
- Provide flexible working for all
The Age-friendly action framework, commissioned by the Centre for Ageing Better, sets out ideas for steps that employers could take to meet the commitments of the Age-friendly Employer Pledge.
