Nonprofit AARP’s latest survey on the rapidly-aging workforce has revealed that 83% global leaders believe that multigenerational workforces are “key” to the growth and long-term success of their companies. The organisation, which is dedicated to empowering people aged 50+, explored global executives’ thoughts about the rapidly-aging workforce and ageism for the study.
The survey also revealed that that over half (53%) of the employers surveyed do not yet include age as a factor in their company’s diversity and inclusion policies. However, 70% favour taking steps to promote unbiased recruitment practices. Three in four (74%) said they would provide training and lifelong learning opportunities for older employees. Two in three (68%) employers confirmed that they would purposefully design mixed-aged teams to leverage the advantages that both younger and older employees bring to the table. In addition, over half (54%) are now providing more flexible work arrangements, including teleworking.
COMBATTING AGEISM
“As people live longer, healthier lives, they’re also working longer – a long-term trend that presents a great opportunity for employers and people of all ages to reimagine what it means to earn and learn over a lifetime,” stated AARP’s CEO Jo Ann Jenkins. “Research shows that age-diverse workforces have a positive effect on employee engagement, productivity and the bottom line. It is heartening to see that business leaders around the world recognise this value, even as we’ve been concerned the pandemic could fuel ageism.”
The survey is a continuation of the work of the Living, Learning, and Earning Longer Collaborative Initiative, a partnership between AARP, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and the World Economic Forum. The study surveyed nearly 6,000 employers in 36 countries. More than 70% of survey data were collected during the pandemic – a time when millions of older workers in the US and elsewhere are unemployed, furloughed or facing uncertainty in their careers. The initiative was launched to identify, share and promote inclusive multigenerational workplace practices from around the world.
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