XpertHR launches menopause policy (UK)
To help companies better support their female employees, XpertHR has produced a menopause policy for organisations looking to assist employees experiencing the menopause. The policy wording is accompanied by guidance on relevant legislation and case law – Cover Magazine, 31 July 2019
Majority of businesses yet to adjust pensions strategies in response to challenge of ageing workforce
Only a third of UK businesses have reviewed their pensions strategy in response to the challenge of the ageing workforce. This is despite the fact that more than half (60%) of workers in the UK admit to not having any kind of retirement goal in terms of either savings targets or age of retirement, and only 15% of UK workers are confident that they will have enough money saved in order to retire. – HR News, 31 July 2019
William Fry: Most Irish workers believe they will have to work past 66
Most Irish workers believe they will have to work past the age of 66 despite wanting to retire, according to new research by William Fry. The firm is warning employers to prepare for an ageing workforce by implementing age-diverse policies and initiatives. – Irish Legal News, 30 July 2019
People asked not to overload bins over summer as number of binmen injuries rocket
The pressures of lugging 800 bins a day is taking its toll on an ageing workforce of binmen in South Cambridgeshire (UK), and the council is now asking residents to help lighten the load. – Cambridgeshire Live, 31 July 2019
Too old to work in IT?
Finding it hard to score an IT job after the age of 50? Perhaps even 45? When former CTO Richard Jones, 57, got sick of bumping heads with 20-something recruiters who wanted tech professionals with experience but didn’t want to hire “old” people, he did something about it. – Australian Computer Society, 30 July 2019
She’s 87, she’s worked at an Auckland shop for 50 years – and has no plans to retire
Octogenarian Joan Rutherford says she plans to keep working until she “pops it” because it keeps her young. – Stuff NZ, 29 July 2019
Is Robert Mueller Hard of Hearing? Another Challenge For Older Workers
In an article last week prompted by the Robert Mueller hearings and the ensuing speculation that some unknown “health issue” was interfering with his ability to testify in as pointed, clear, and sharp a manner as his supporters would have liked, I shared some relevant research on “normal cognitive aging,” … – Forbes, 29 July 2019
How Capitalism Exploits Our Fear of Old Age
Getting older isn’t all loss and no gain—we may actually become happier and more emotionally resilient. – Yes Magazine, 29 July 2019
Half of self-employed workforce now over 50 (UK)
The number of over 50s working for themselves made up 46 percent of the UKs entire self-employed workforce in the first three months of 2019, according to new research from jobs and volunteering board Rest Less. There are now 2.27 million over 50s who are self-employed – up from 1.45 million 10 years ago, an increase of 57 percent in a decade. The survey looked at data from the Office of National Statistics to highlight self-employment trends amongst the different demographic groups in the UK. – Workplace Insight, 29 July 2019
Draft bill to help older workers find jobs faces multiple challenges
Taipei, July 28 (CNA) Although the Cabinet approved a draft act last week to boost the participation of older workers in the workforce, Taiwan will have to overcome numerous challenges to reverse the low labor participation rate of middle-aged and elderly people, experts said. – Focus Taiwan TV, 28 July 2019
Australian businesses concerned Baby Boomer departure will worsen skills shortage
As Australia’s Baby Boomer generation gradually retires from the workforce, their exit poses a knowledge and experience vacuum that is expected to contribute significantly to skills shortages across the country. An independent survey of 620 hiring managers in Australia, commissioned by Robert Half, shows 86 per cent are concerned the Baby Boomer departure will impact available skillsets in their organisation. Indeed, 78 per cent forecast it will be more challenging to find qualified professionals in the coming five years. – The Global Recruiter, 28 July 2019
Caring for an ageing workforce
While in good health, older workers “can be some of the most valued and experienced staff,” Tabitha Jay, director of the work and health unit at the Department for Work and Pensions, told a recent conference at the Royal Society of Medicine in London. But when they stop working, they often cite disability and long term conditions as reasons, she said. BMJ 2019;366:l4787 24 July 2019
The One Critical Element Missing From 92% Of Diversity And Inclusion Strategies
While research shows bias around sexuality and race has declined precipitously over the last 12 years, the one area where unconscious bias has barely shifted is ageism. The EEOC reports that age is the one critical element overlooked by a majority of companies in diversity and inclusion (D&I) programs and efforts. A study found that 64% of firms surveyed in its 2015 Annual Global CEO survey had diversity and inclusion strategies, but only 8% of those included age. – Forbes, 25 July 2019
Ageing male workforces and what to do about it
It’s typically hard to attract young people and women into engineering, operational and asset management roles. But industries with ageing male workforces are now recognising that diversity leads to businesses that thrive, so are working hard to turn these numbers around. – The Fifth Estate, 25 July 2019
Questionable Reason for Firing Supports Age-Discrimination Verdict
Time Warner Cable’s decision to fire a 60-year-old manager for directing a subordinate to change the date on their meeting form supported her $334,500 verdict for age discrimination, the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals held. – SHRM, 23 July 2019
Google pays $11m to jobseekers who alleged age discrimination
Google has settled a lawsuit alleging age discrimination in its hiring practices, paying $11m to more than 200 jobseekers who were over 40 when they applied to join the company. Although it has settled the case, Google denies the allegations that it was unfairly dismissive of older applicants. – The Guardian, 23 July 2019
U.S. Chamber Of Commerce Defends Age Discrimination In Hiring
The issue of age discrimination in hiring is playing out in the U.S. Courts. The AARP has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review a decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit in Chicago holding that outside job applicants have no protection under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967. – Forbes, 23 July 2019
Industry Ageism: “I’m A 47-Year-Old Copywriter & I’m Sick Of The Pretence & Political Bullsh*t”
A US copywriter happened upon B&T’s Changing The Ratio articles and conference. A victim of ageism himself, he fired off this email to us. It raises some very important issues that resonate in adland in Australia, too. – B&T, 23 July 2019
Employers need to get over stigma as workforce changes
New Zealand businesses are being advise to put aside any hesitancy when it comes to employing mature or inexperienced workers, as immigration issues continue to threaten the number of skilled workers available. – IT Brief NZ, 23 Jul 2019
Program offers pathway into home care for Indigenous workers
The first participants of a home care pre-employment program targeting Indigenous workers are set to graduate next month. The program, run by Australian Unity, offers an innovative pathway into a career in aged and disability care for Aboriginal people who in the final weeks of the ten-week Launch into Work project. – Community Care Review, 23 July 2019
Skills crisis in Europe, time to act
The European Union today faces an extraordinary challenge that unless addressed seriously with short-, medium- and long-term solutions, could make it a consumer of growth generated elsewhere, rather than actively producing it. There is no other way to define the lack of human resources and skills mismatch than having reached the level of a crisis. – Times of Malta, 22 July 2019
HSE stats show ageing workforce continues to be an at-risk group
The HSE newly published statistics on workplace fatalities revealed that 147 people were killed at work in the 12 months to the end of March (a rate of 0.45 deaths per 100,000 workers). A quarter of fatal injuries were sustained by workers aged 60 or over. – HSCS Scotland, 21 July 2019
Youthful Africa to overtake ageing Asia in workforce
Asia will be confronted by an ageing population, while the shift in Africa will be toward more youth in need of employment. – Moneyweb, 21 July 2019
Half of sandwiched gen find it tough supporting parents and children the same time (Singapore)
According to a recent OCBC’s Financial Wellness Index survey, the majority of working adults in Singapore are financially unprepared for retirement … In particular, half of those among the sandwiched generation – people who are supporting both ageing parents and their own children at the same time – struggle to cope, with significantly greater worries about their financial status. – The Online Citizen, 20 July 2019
Public service retirement age raised to 68 (Bermuda)
Legislation to raise the mandatory retirement age for Public Service workers by three years was passed with unanimous support in the House of Assembly yesterday. – The Royal Gazette, 20 July 2019
China pension surplus exceeds $700 billion in H1: official
SHANGHAI (Reuters) – China’s state pension fund surplus stood at more than 5 trillion yuan ($726.62 billion) in the first half of 2019, a government official said as Beijing tries to allay fears that it will be unable to deal with the costs of a rapidly aging population. – Reuters, 20 July 2019
Hidden crisis of an ageing population
Challenges of an ageing population are now real. Figures reveal it may be difficult to alter India’s demographic trend. While policy efforts to ensure income security must continue, the Government must create mechanisms that can help seniors improve their quality of life. – The Pioneer (India), 19 July 2019
Companies need to do more for adult caregivers. Here’s why
One in six Americans have some sort of caregiving responsibility, yet their employers do little to support them. That’s costing the company money. – Fast Company, 18 July 2019
UK launches retraining scheme to help workers afflicted by automation
A retraining scheme for adults has been launched by the Government to help people affected by the impact of automation on employment. – Engineering & Technology, 18 July 2018
Over-50s account for majority of UK employment growth, says ONS
But experts question whether older employees are staying in work because they want to or because they have no choice – CIPD, People Management, 18 July 2019
Over-45s twice as likely to experience long-term sickness absence in the UK workplace
New UK government figures report the dramatic increase in the likelihood of long-term sickness absence when we age (i.e. an employment absence of four weeks of more). – WEBWIRE, 17 July 2019
One in 25 UK workers now aged 65 and over
One in 25 of the UK workforce is now aged 65 and over, new figures suggest. Some 1.33 million employees were estimated to be within this age group in the period March to May 2019, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). – Law Breaking News (USA), 16 July 2019
Playing the Game of Baby Boomer Bingo
It’s no secret that the retirement of baby boomers is contributing to a shortage of workers.
Recent reports show that the United States is predicted to see a 38 percent increase in the over-65 population between 2015 and 2025, while the U.S. population of those between ages 18 and 64 is only expected to rise by 3 percent. … Around the world, employers are trying to retain these tenured resources with creative incentives. Some countries are increasing wages, and others are increasing retirement ages. – Workforce, 16 July 2019
Vision problems in an ageing workforce and how HR can prepare for that
Staying up to date with the fast-growing talent trend – an ageing workforce, return-to-work retirees and the gig economy – HR professionals should address the physical wellbeing of ageing employees and cultivate awareness of the warning signs of common health problems. – Human Resources Online, 15 July 2019
Two-thirds now expect to unwillingly work past 66
According to a survey of 1,000 employers and employees in Ireland, 61% of employees believe they will have to work past the age of 66 years, while only 32% would like to work beyond that age. – Law Society Gazette Ireland, 15 July 2019
China’s ageing population lures foreign operators into care market
Australia’s largest owner and operator of senior living communities has launched plans for a A$400m ($281m) project in Shanghai, the latest foray into the country by foreign investors rushing to profit from China’s rapidly ageing population. – Financial Times, 15 July 2019
Digging Deeper | World population is ageing rapidly, are we ready to deal with it?
Birthrates in several countries are falling rapidly, and thanks to advances in medical sciences and life expectancy increasing, what we have is an increasingly older population. – Money Control, 15 July 2019
S’pore experts suggest establishment of Ageing Ministry
A new Ageing Ministry, coordinating closely with the Manpower and Education Ministries, could help the Singapore authorities resolve emerging challenges such as the displacement of mature professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMETs) due to automation … – Malaysia Kini, 12 July 2019
The sandwich generation of carers isn’t just middle-aged mums
The sandwich generation – so called due to having dual caring responsibilities and typically associated with working mothers aged 40-55 – is much broader and more prevalent than most employers realise, according to RedArc … The organisation’s experience shows that many individuals’ outside-of- work obligations go completely unnoticed or unacknowledged by employers which puts additional pressures on the employee and can leave them feeling isolated. – HR News, 4 July 2019
How to care for the unpaid caregivers in your workforce
Nobody understands the importance of caregiving more than those working in long-term care communities. If some of those staff members are facing challenges related to elder caregiving responsibilities outside of work, in their personal lives, a new study share steps they and their employers can take to lessen those challenges. Given that recruiting and retaining workers are two of the biggest challenges facing senior living operators, it’s worth listening to what these researchers have to say. – McKnight Senior Living, 1 July 2019
6 Steps to Finding Your Second Act in Retirement
After a decades-long Wall Street career, Russell Abbott was ready for a change. He had worked as a hedge fund manager and a director in the fixed income department at Credit Suisse, and the long hours and high intensity took a toll. “You start to age out of financial services,” says Abbott, 67. His two children were grown and he was in a financial position to retire, but he wasn’t ready to step out of the working world for good. He just hadn’t figured out what might come next. – Kiplinger, 1 July 2019
