- August 29, 2023
We are thrilled to announce our support for workers in their 50s and 60s by signing the Age-friendly Employer Pledge.
Introduced by the Centre for Ageing Better, this is a nationwide programme for employers who truly value and recognise the contribution of older workers.
Already, over 140 employers, including GXO, Virgin Hotels, Age UK, RSPCA, The Department of Work & Pensions, and various government departments, have embraced this impactful pledge.
The job market is changing, and employers are facing huge challenges. There are skills and labour shortages with vacancy rates at record highs. Workers in their 50s and 60s are key to filling these gaps. Yet employers are missing out on all that older workers can offer.
More people are working later in life, but older workers often face prejudice and are overlooked. Employment rates drop after the age of 55, and over half of people have stopped working before state pension age.
The goal of the Age-friendly Employer Pledge is to tackle ageism in the workplace while addressing skills shortages and playing a pivotal role in filling critical labour gaps.
By signing the pledge, we commit to taking concrete action each year to enhance the recruitment, retention, and development of older workers. We are also dedicated to creating an age-friendly culture and encouraging career development at all ages, while explicitly incorporating age in our Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion policies.
Our People & Culture Director, Kelly Dolphin, expressed her excitement, saying: “I’m delighted to share our commitment to creating a multi-generational workforce and fostering an age-friendly culture within our business. By embracing the Age-Friendly Employer Pledge, we are making a genuine commitment to supporting individuals of all ages in our workplace.”
As trailblazers in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I), we encourage other facilities management organisations to follow suit and show their recognition of the importance of older workers by joining the Age-friendly Pledge.
For more information on the Age-friendly Employer Pledge, please visit https://ageing-better.org.uk/age-friendly-employer-pledge