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Age-Friendly Employers: If You’re Not Ready To Retire Just Yet
Glassdoor Team
Glassdoor Team | Author & Career Expert at Glassdoor | 17 Feb 2020
The face of workforces across the world is changing. Glassdoor’s report, ‘Jobs and Hiring Trends 2020’ shows that baby-boomers will be the fastest growing generation in the workforce during 2020.
A study by the Office of National Statistics also shows that people aged over 65 will account for more than half of all employment growth in the next decade.
This raises the question; why are people working later in life?
Well, there are a couple of reasons; firstly, by 2030 life expectancy is estimated to be in the mid to late eighties. And, with the pension age expected to increase to 67 within the next 10 years, retiring in the early sixties doesn’t make financial sense anymore.
Also, for some, people are choosing to work longer as retirement can be incredibly lonely and maintaining an active and social life through work is deemed to be great for both health and mental wellbeing.
So, if you’re someone who isn’t ready to retire just yet, here are five age-friendly employers who embrace older workers:
B&Q
The national DIY chain has a long history of employing older people. It says that it aims to be ‘non-age specific’ in its hiring and the benefits it offers to staff.
The latest figures available show that 28% of B&Q’s workforce is aged over 50, and it’s reported that their oldest worker was 90 years young!
Here are a couple of comments left by employees on B&Q’s Glassdoor Company Review page:
“Good social environment, big age range so not many dramas.” - Customer Service Advisor
“It’s all about the people.” - Showroom Advisor
Boots
Boots takes its commitment to the communities it services incredibly seriously. That’s why, along with a handful of other businesses, in 2017 it committed to hiring 12% more older workers over the next five years.
Varied roles are on offer for people who wish to work with the pharmacy brand, including; customer service, pharmacy assistant, store management and head-office based roles.
Here are some comments left by employees on Boots’ Glassdoor Company Review page:
“Everyone is always positive and everyone helps one another.” - Customer Assistant
“Great environment, everyone is like family.” - Customer Advisor
National Express
Champions of tapping into the valuable skills that older workers bring to a company, National Express is proud to have older workers in its workforce.
They are among a small handful of companies that have launched an apprenticeship scheme specifically aimed at older workers. Outside of this, roles on offer include coach drivers, customer service advisers and head-office based roles.
Here are some reviews that people have left on Glassdoor on what it’s like to work for National Express:
“Management keeps in mind your individual circumstances, I love working for National Express.” - Customer Relations Officer
“Supportive structure within the company. Benefits are good and the people are amazing.” - Employee
Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s is openly committed to employing older workers and this is evident when visiting any of its stores.
Sainsbury’s states on its website “we’re constantly trying to find new ways to better serve our customers” and it believes that having a diverse workforce allows it to achieve this.
In addition to offering a flexible work schedule and good perks, here is what people have reported on Glassdoor about working for Sainsbury’s:
“The social working environment is great as you may not work directly with everyone in the store, but you get to know everyone.” - Bakery Assistant
“Diversity - Enjoyable - Engaging - Loads of overtime.” - Trading Assistant
Aviva
Aviva says, “It wants its workforce to be reflective of both the communities we work in and the customers we serve.”
In 2017 it proudly pledged that over the next five years it would bring an extra 1,000 people aged over 50 into its employment. Making 25% of its total workforce over 50 years.
Comments left on Aviva’s Glassdoor Company Review page supports its claim as an age-friendly employer:
“Great culture and work environment.” - Former Employee
“Nice people, flexible working, inclusive culture.” - Analyst
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Glassdoor Team
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