Grey Power – fighting fit
By Ericka Newton, Marketing Assistant, Epic
Over the last 12 years the number of under 45s at work has dropped
by 6%, while the number of workers aged between 50-65 increased
by 22%, and bearing in mind the new age discrimination legislation,
more and more employers will be flinging open doors to the “older
generation”. But what impact will this have on workplace health?
According to the government, 31% of workers over 50 want to go
on working till they are over 60. They believe older workers to
be both loyal and long serving - two thirds of older workers claim
they would miss work if they left today. Older workers, on average,
stay in a job for about 12 years. Compare this to an average 7 years
for 25-49 year-olds the situation looks good for the silver surfers.
However, this takes into account that statistically, the older group
is more likely to suffer from conditions such as arthritis and heart
disease. They may also suffer additional health risks caused by
the sheer fact they have been part of the workforce longer than
the 40 years which have been the average until now.
Andrew Watterson of the Occupational and Environmental Health Research
Group at the University of Sterling believes an older workforce
will push workplace health and absence issues higher up the agenda.
“Occupational Health (OH) is still a relatively low priority
in the UK,” he said, “ but occupationally caused and
related ill health is a big problem. It should be much higher up
on the agenda than it is – and older workers may make this
happen.” However, he does not see any evidence that employers
have the resources or commitment to tackle the issue.
The Healthcare insurance group AXA PPP think this could be the
time for HR to step into the gap and ‘ensure employee health
is given more attention.’ Dudley Lusted, head of corporate
healthcare says, “Employers must be systematic about this.
Firstly, they should establish the facts about their employees of
all ages. Secondly, they should promote healthy living to employees
of all ages. HR also need to work with line managers to make sure
health is on the agenda.” Radical workplace adjustments are
not needed, he believes, but predicts that over the years employers
may have to introduce new designs for the more elderly, including
computer screen adjustments.
Some companies, London and Quadrant Housing Trust for example,
have already embraced the new legislation. 25% of its 776 staff
is over 50, 26 are aged between 60 and 65 and three are over 65.
Their Group HR Director believes “ Older people are not ill,
they are very good attenders, there is much more sickness among
younger people”.
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