A People Management Insight survey shows employers recognise the benefits of being age-friendly. The survey – commissioned by the Centre for Ageing Better – reveals that more employers know the need to support older workers while recognising their challenges.
The December 2024 survey gathered feedback from more than 380 HR leaders. Key findings include:
- Awareness and action: 76% of respondents acknowledged their organisation is aware of the need to support workers in their 50s and 60s, with 18% already taking steps to address this.
- Interest in age-friendly initiatives: 22% plan to join an age-friendly employer scheme by 2025, and 55% are considering it within three years.
- Productivity gains: 54% believe hiring older workers would make their organisation more productive.
- Age-inclusive workplaces: 39% aim to focus on creating an age-inclusive workplace in the next one to two years, while 17% say it is a definite priority.
The Centre for Ageing Better’s senior programme manager (Age-friendly Employment), Tracy Riddell, said: “The survey results show that more employers appreciate that recruiting, supporting and encouraging older workers makes business sense. We’re encouraged that 76% of respondents indicated an awareness, and we’d like to see an increase in those actively working on the matter.
“One in three UK workers is now over 50. A significant demographic shift has taken place over recent years. Employers now see that intergenerational workforces are the future.”
Riddell also highlighted the organisation’s Age-friendly Employer Pledge, a nationwide programme encouraging employers to improve work for people in their 50s and 60s. “So far, 471 organisations have signed the pledge, and that number is growing every week,” she added.
To learn more, visit the Age-friendly Employer Pledge page at the Centre for Ageing Better website.