Employers in the Business Services sector can benefit from employing older workers and should be doing more to tackle age discrimination, according to research published by Age Positive at the Department for Work and Pensions.
The report, ëManaging an ageing workforce in Business Servicesí looks at the challenges faced by the sector relating to the recruitment, training and retention of older workers.
The report also examines what employers are doing to remove compulsory retirement ages and adopt flexible approaches.
Currently, Business Services ñ computer services, law, finance, HR, communications (both marketing and telecoms), security and real estate - employs 3.2 million people, some 11% of the total national workforce. Some 60% of the workforce consists of professional or managerial workers, with high levels of full-time posts, males, graduates and self-employed. Of the estimated 97,000 firms, most are small, employing 11 or fewer people.
The sector has seen rapid growth patterns, with 14% of businesses in the sector less than one year old. Although demonstrating a perhaps better balanced age profile than some other sectors, there is still the tendency for computer and call centre staff to be under 45, while professional, research and development workers tend to be older. However, skill shortages and hard-to-fill vacancies are much higher than for other sectors.
The business services sector is not without its common unlawful or hazardous employment practices.
There have been instances of refusing to consider applications from people thought to be approaching retirement age. Also, there have been cases of using length of experience to determine a starting salary and using age or length of service as criteria for redundancy selection.
The Age Positive initiative is working with employers to remove compulsory retirement ages and adopt flexible approaches in the workplace. The UK has an ageing population, with many older people wanting the choice of continuing to work rather than retire. Moreover, people in their 50s and 60s would work longer if they could get flexible work.
Older workers have a low rate of absenteeism and are as reliable and motivated as younger people. This has a positive impact for businesses that can benefit from a more flexible workforce with a wider range of skills and abilities.
Age Positive is working closely across the sectors to ensure that businesses have all the information they need to make the necessary adjustments.
Age Positive is currently offering a free organiser which contains comprehensive guidance on age issues, a CD rom, top tips, practical case study material and sources of help and information. For a copy of the ëBe Readyí organiser, telephone 0845 715 2000 or email apg@trgeuropeplc.com
Employers wishing to find out more about Age Positive, age legislation, age research and the business benefits of age diversity can visit:
Research shows the Business Services Sector could be missing out
Itís a fact that an age diverse workforce that includes older workers is healthier for business
