To build an age diverse workforce post-lockdown, we need to embrace Anywhere work.

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Even prior to the covid-19 pandemic, businesses faced a variety of workforce challenges. Maintaining communication across departments, encouraging team cohesion and integrating new technologies all posed their own unique difficulties. Now businesses must contend with the added challenge of managing their teams from home. No wonder so many businesses are concerned for the future.

But the covid-19 pandemic has shone a light on another, often ignored issue; the changing needs of an ageing workforce. As people live and stay in work longer, businesses must look for new ways to encourage and include them. As shelter in place rules are relaxed across the world, we have a unique opportunity to address this challenge.

Woman helping to onboard new employees while working from home

Ageing populations, challenges and opportunities

In the UK, there are nearly 12 million people aged 65 and above, according to Age UK. By 2030, one in five people in the UK (21.8%) will be aged 65 or over, 6.8% will be aged 75+ and 3.2% will be aged 85+. The 85+ age group is also the fastest growing – it’s set to double to 3.2 million by mid-2041 and treble by 2066.

As the population ages, more people are choosing to work past retirement age. Some work simply because they want to, while others aren’t yet in a position financially to retire. The changing demographics – and the additional requirements this entails – can pose serious challenges to team leaders.

But older team members play a vital role in your workforce, and, as Jo Ann Jenkins, CEO of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) points out, “A workplace with Millennials, Gen Xers, Baby Boomers and the Silent Generation offers a unique opportunity for varied perspectives and approaches to day-to-day work.”

Man using laptop as part of age diverse team

Retain talent with flexibility for ageing employees

Reduced mobility can make getting into the office challenging, but that doesn’t mean these people are of less value to your team. Sadly, a 2018 study by ProPublica and the Urban Institute revealed that re-entering the workforce is significantly harder for over 50s. The study identified several factors for this, including decreased mobility and family obligations.

But shutting out experienced workers is a loss for everyone. As the CIPD pointed out in their report, ‘Insights into managing an age-diverse workforce’, by letting go of talented team members, businesses run the risk of losing specialist knowledge and insights.

New generations of workers bring their own valuable skills, but older team members bring something else; experience. Taking your team Anywhere allows older members to contribute without demanding their daily presence in the office.

Woman working from homem in age diverse team

Offering flexible work could also have an unintended benefit for both businesses and employees. In the post-covid-19 office, social distancing rules will put a premium on space. Allowing team members to work from home will go some way to alleviating new space requirements.

Businesses should also consider the increased risk of illness among certain members of staff. In cases where an employee is particularly at risk, a flexible work arrangement can be a lifeline.

However, it’s important to ensure they maintain a connection to their office-bound colleagues. Regular contact with other team members (essential to any business) ensures working Anywhere is an inclusive, shared experience.

TERRY VIRTS

There's no other place in the known universe that humans could inhabit without the use of spaceships and spacesuits. So we should take care of our planet.

Build loyalty through flexibility

When you allow your team to work Anywhere, it’s more likely they’ll stay with you for longer. In the FlexJobs annual survey, 76% of respondents said that they would be more loyal to their employers if they had flexible work options.

Naturally, the introduction of lockdown saw most businesses move online. But, as lockdown restrictions ease, maintaining the choice to work from home will be essential to retaining experienced team members.

Elderly woman working as part of an age diverse workforce

A happier employee is also a more productive employee, so it’s in the interests of both parties to offer flexible work. In fact, a 2017 study by Polycom revealed that 98% of respondent’s state that being able to work Anywhere has made a positive impact on productivity.

As workers age, new challenges can arise that make coming into the office substantially more difficult. Caring for elderly relatives is one of the most common reasons, next to retirement, for people over 65 to leave work. More than half of carers aged 65+ care for someone they live with. With the flexibility to care for family without sacrificing their career, employees are more likely to stay with the company until retirement.

Increase diversity with Anywhere work options

The past thirty years have seen a major push for equality in the workplace. Businesses have begun to recognise that diversity brings with it more knowledgeable, creative and dynamic teams.

A 2018 McKinsey Diversity Matters report found that diverse teams are more likely to yield above-average financial returns. Despite advances, however, the business world still has a long way to go, including when it comes to age equality.

Older African American man as part of an age diverse workforce working from home

Age diversity is still a serious issue across industries. Particularly in the tech sector, where skills quickly become outdated. Older workers can be pushed out of roles in favour of younger employees.

A 2017 Indeed report found that 43% of tech workers fear losing their job due to their age. The same report revealed that 36% had experienced at least one instance of being discriminated against due to their age.

A cross-organisational study by the Institute for Leadership and Human Resource Management argued that older workers were often the subject of ‘micro-discriminations’ based on assumptions about their ability. However, flexible work can reduce opportunities for people to make discriminatory statements against other workers. Of course, this requires a strong company culture built on a foundation of respect and understanding.

Man staying on at work as part of Age diversity drive

Embracing the Anywhere approach

Businesses that introduced flexible working for the first time during the covid-19 lockdown will face an uphill struggle convincing employees to return to the office. Even employees who prefer to work from the office will find it difficult to return to the old way of working.

Whereas pre-covid-19, many businesses measured performance by time spent in the office, the work from home model tends to measure by output. In return, today’s workforce expects clear working processes, robust communication platforms and regular reviews. Now that everyone has experience working from home, it will be significantly easier to maintain that working style post lockdown.

Man at desk preparing to work from home as part of his morning routine

Employees also face their share of new responsibilities. Maintaining communication with team leaders and managing project deliverables is a collaborative effort. But with several months’ experience working from home behind them, they’ll never be better prepared for flexible work.

Adapt to survive

In short, to retain top talent, ensure diversity and reward dedicated team members post-lockdown, businesses must be willing to adapt. By giving teams the freedom to work Anywhere, businesses free themselves up to be more agile. Talent isn’t limited by location, age or ability; your hiring process shouldn’t be either.

By maintaining the flexible working practices implemented during lockdown, your business can build age diversity in the workforce. Not only does this create a stronger, more diverse team, but it also lays the foundation for a fairer society for everyone.

Thinking of making the move to Anywhere? Check out the complete guide to pitching the idea of working Anywhere to your employer here.

Woman enjoying being part of an age diverse team working from home

Summary

The working population is ageing – businesses have been too slow to adapt to the challenges and opportunities this ageing population brings.
Older employees have experienced workplace discrimination in the past – and it affects performance.
Businesses can reduce employee turnover by offering flexible work to ageing employees who might struggle to return the office post-lockdown.
Businesses encourage loyalty by offering flexible work arrangements and increase job satisfaction.
Offering flexible work arrangements can increase diversity in your team- an essential element of a productive, balanced workforce.