Flexible working options attract older workers

Employers would be better placed to retain the skills of older workers if they offered quality part-time work and flexible working hours according to a recent EEO Trust survey.The EEO Trust ran the online Work and Age Survey to explore what people want from work as they get older and what workplace conditions would encourage them to stay in paid work longer. The survey also explored people's experiences of intergenerational issues and age discrimination at work.

EEO Trust Chief Executive Dr Philippa Reed says changing demographics and the on-going skills shortage means employers need to sharpen up on the employment of older people. "As well as ensuring they attract young people entering the workforce, employers need to explore what incentives, training and other workplace initiatives would encourage older people to continue to make an effective contribution at work," she says.

"More than 6,400 people responded to our survey, signalling that New Zealanders of all ages are acutely concerned about their jobs and futures as they age. Most respondents were over 45 years old but 24 per cent were younger than 45."

The survey asked people what workplace conditions would encourage them to continue working past their expected retirement date. Quality part-time work and flexible working hours were the most popular options.

Dr Reed says that this and previous research conducted by the EEO Trust shows that employers who offer some flexibility in working hours and work location are well placed to attract and retain skilled people. "Our surveys of parents and disabled people also found that flexibility is the number one factor that would enable them to make a more effective contribution to the workplace," she says.

For most working people, the ideal transition from full-time work to retirement involves flexible working hours. In contrast, those who are already retired mostly went straight from full-time work to retirement.

"With the baby boomer generation approaching retirement, employers who offer a range of transitions to retirement may improve succession planning and skills transfer," says Dr Reed. "Recent Australian research by Business Work & Ageing also found that many people would prefer to continue to do some paid work well after they reach 65, confirming New Zealand research in 2003.

"Versatile workplaces that plan ahead and offer flexibility will be able to draw on older people's skills and expertise."

Reliability is the number one quality older people bring to the workplaces according to respondents to the EEO Trust survey. Most respondents also agreed that older people provide good customer service and communication skills, are committed to their careers, have skills in training people, show initiative and are able to create a good atmosphere in the workplace.

About one in three respondents said they had experienced difficulties at work due to people being different ages, and a third said they had experienced discrimination at work due to their age.

Respondents' comments on age discrimination indicate that both older and younger age groups felt excluded and under-valued when they were in a minority in a workplace.

Dr Reed says that while the survey was developed primarily to explore the experiences and expectations of people as they get older, it highlighted that people of all ages can feel excluded or under-valued at work. "Our best workplaces create a culture of tolerance and flexibility so people can reach their potential at work regardless of their age or background."

For a full report of the survey findings go to www.eeotrust.org.nz/research.