Two thirds (66%) of manager respondents believe the average age of retirement in their organisation will increase over the next five to 10 years, according to research by Axa PPP Healthcare.
Its Supporting fuller working working lives: how organisations can embrace older employees and those with caring responsibilities white paper, which is based on a survey of 1,000 managers and 1,000 employees in the UK, also found that 36% of manager respondents are unaware of anything their organisation does to attract, retain and engage older employees.
The research also found:
- 29% of employee respondents feel supported in managing workplace stress, and 28% feel supported in maintaining their physical wellbeing.
- 23% of employee respondents feel their employer supports them with their caring responsibilities.
- Less than a third (28%) of manager respondents state that their organisation has formal policies and practices in place to support employees with caring responsibilities.
- 44% of employee respondents feel supported in meeting work deadlines.
Chris Horlick (pictured), distribution director at Axa PPP Healthcare, said: “The changing nature of older age and how work is performed, combined with the predicted increase in employees who have caring responsibilities, present opportunities for redefining the relationship between the state, employer and individual when it comes to managing health and wellbeing.
“Employers need to ensure that their procedures, policies and communications are geared up to meet the needs of the growing number of older workers and, in particular, that they support the so-called sandwich generation; those who may be responsible for caring both for elderly relatives and for children or grandchildren while working.”
