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We answer some of your most frequently asked questions. If you have a question that is not answered here, and / or think it should be included on this page, please contact us
By 2010, 40% of the workforce will be aged 45 and older. People are living longer and the average age of the workforce is rising.
Most people not in work between 50 years of age and state retirement age are claiming social security benefits or have retired early with limited resources. For many people in this age category, being out of work can lead to poverty, insecurity and social exclusion which can in turn lead to depression and ill health.
Unemployment amongst older people is estimated to cost the economy between £19 and £31 billion per year in lost output, taxes and increased welfare repayments.
Unemployment is low in the South West – just over 4% of the population aged 16 and older, with people aged 50 and older less likely to be unemployed than people in most other age groups.
There are about 15,000 unemployed people aged 50 and older in the South West of whom almost 9,000 are claiming unemployment-related benefits.
Absolutely not. A person’s health is influenced by many factors, including lifestyle, activity and nutrition. Risk of illness or disease may increase with age, but this is not always the case. The fact is that people are living longer and the general health of older people is improving.
No. In order to avoid skills shortages, employers will need to retain older workers longer.
Offering them greater training opportunities shows that they are being recognised as valuable resources. This makes good business sense. Older workers are just as successful in learning new skills (including technologies) as younger workers.
The Age Legislation is going to impact how you recruit, hire, train and retire your staff.
You need to think of this situation from a business context. Having the best person for the job means employing people based on required skills, competencies, experience, capacity, ability and potential to do the job.
Treating potential staff with respect and offering them opportunities to develop to their fullest potential without bias and without discrimination, will directly impact your business success. |
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