University of Essex signs age-friendly employer pledge

The University of Essex has signed the age-friendly employer pledge as part of its commitment to recognise the value of aged 50 and above.

Established by the Centre for Ageing Better, the pledge aims to help overcome ageism in the workplace and resolve skills shortages and vacancy rates.

By signing, the university has committed to take at least one action a year to improve the recruitment, retention and development of older workers. These include identifying a senior sponsor for age-inclusion, ensuring age is specifically named within its equality, diversity and inclusion policies, creating an age-friendly culture, hiring age-positively, being flexible about all types of working, encouraging career development at all ages and ensuring everyone has the health support they need.

The university has already launched a programme of initiatives to understand and support older staff, which include focus groups with this group, consulting research colleagues who have studied related issues, such as age as a protected characteristic, and appointing an inclusion champion for those of all ages. It will also design a mid-life review to support employees in their career, health and finance.

Professor Maria Fasli (pictured centre), age inclusion champion at University of Essex, said: “We value a multi-generational workforce and have made a commitment to an inclusive working environment for every member of our community, so that together we create a workplace that enables everyone to achieve their best and have fulfilling professional lives.

“Older members of staff form an important part of our community and we’re proud of our work over the last year supporting them, and excited about making this fresh commitment to recognising their value and maximising their potential.”