National Older Workers Week, which runs all week (from the 21–25th November 2022), puts a spotlight on the current issues that older workers are facing. It also highlights what employers can do to address them.
Anne Brewster, 50+ Champion at the UK’s Department for Work and Pensions, confirms that many job seekers over 50 feel they’re overlooked due to their age. In fact, the latest Unretirement Uprising report, carried out by 55/Redefined, revealed that 65% of 50+ professionals believe that their age works against them when applying for a new role. This jumps to 70% for respondents in Yorkshire and the Humber, who feel ageism at work more acutely than other regions of the UK.
Additionally, 30% of those who have retired said they felt forced to do so. Shockingly, 82% have not been contacted by a recruiter in the last 12 months. That’s despite the biggest shortfall in talent on record and a recruitment crisis; with over 1.2m vacancies between July and September of 2022.
WORKPLACE AGEISM
“While progress has been made across other diversity and inclusion measures, age is falling by the wayside and it’s not just morally wrong, but fiscally irresponsible. In a struggling economy, awash with job vacancies, the over-50s could solve the UK’s talent problems. Action needs to be taken,” shared Lyndsey Simpson, Founder and CEO at 55/Redefined. “Employers must do deep work to improve their age diversity to mirror the positive change we’ve seen across gender or any other characteristic. Actively looking to attract and retain over-50s – including welcoming the notion of unretirement, giving the over-50s the choice to remain, leave and re-enter the workplace – is key.”
Brewster and Simpson encourage businesses to create an age-inclusive recruitment process to ensure they’re not missing out on hidden talent. Older Workers’ Week, hosted by Workingwise, will feature some timely webinars on the topic over the next few days. To find out more on how to create an age-inclusive multigenerational workplace, click here.
RELATED ARTICLES
Multigenerational workforces are “key” to the growth and long-term success of their companies. Click here to continue reading.
Often stereotyped as ‘too experienced’, many older workers are continuing to be disadvantaged and discriminated against during their job search. Click here to continue reading.
Pervasive ageism and ableism are excluding far too many people from the workplace as they age. Click here to continue reading.
Age bias and discrimination within UK workplaces is perpetuated by HR departments less willing to champion the ageing workforce. Click here to read more.
Mid-career jobseekers aged 45+ face rampant ageism and are struggling with stark unemployment challenges globally. Click here to continue reading.
Sign up for our newsletter
