Employing older workers

Introduction

Employers can benefit from having a workforce that has staff from across all age groups. These benefits could include a reduction in recruitment and training costs, and increased productivity.

The age at which employees choose to retire from work has increased meaning not only are people living longer, but they are also working longer. The number of younger workers coming into the labour market is dropping, which means it makes sense to utilise skills and experience wherever you can, regardless of a person's age.

Older employees may have experience and knowledge of other relevant industry sectors and may be able to train or mentor less experienced colleagues. They can also help you to create a balanced working environment and may welcome the opportunity to work flexibly to enable you to cover your core business hours or respond to unexpected changes in your business.

This guide sets out the benefits that older employees can bring to your business and some of the ways in which you can make this possible.

Subjects covered in this guide

• Introduction
• Age legislation
• Employee benefits and pay for an older workforce
• Training and development for an older workforce
• Flexible working and retirement
• Managing retirement with an older workforce
• Here's how age positive recruitment benefits my business
• Here's how removing the compulsory retirement age benefits business
• Here's how we treat all employees on their merits and not their age
• Retention, promotion, training and development

Print options - What are my print options - Opens in a new window

• Add guide to my print portfolio (print later as PDF)

Email options - What are my email options - Opens in a new window

• Tell a friend about this page
• Send me an email alert when this guide changes