Most employees set to work beyond “retirement age”

Office of the Future:

Most employees set to work beyond “retirement age”

Increasing numbers of employees will be seeking to extend their careers beyond the state retirement age over the next 15 years, a new report has suggested.

In a survey of 1,000 workers aged between 50 and 64, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) found that 38 per cent planned to continue working after they reach 65. (At the moment only 11 per cent of the workforce is working beyond state retirement age). And for those who said they did not intend working past 65, almost a third (31%) claimed they would reconsider their decisions if they could work flexibly. The CIPD said that this would result in a majority of workers carrying on in employment after the age of 65. Though the research does not deal with this explicitly, it is implicit that few of us will – as in the past –be taking early retirement either. Downsizing is over and unless the lottery pays out, the majority could be be in the office for our full three score and ten, And this is of course very good news for employers, since these workers have essential skills and experience that would otherwise be in short supply. So with this new trend – an ever-wider age-range in the office – what factors do employers need to be aware of? Show business becomes know businessEmployment regimes that previously centered on young workers, will already be starting to see a significant demographic drift. And these older workers have different – sometimes very different - needs from their younger colleagues. For example, eyesight needs extra help, noise levels need to better controlled. The open-office ‘zoo’ environment may be trendy and smart, but does no favours for the productivity and safety of workers of 50, 60 even 70. The good news is that though a very different paradigm is needed, it’s not that hard to adapt the office environment to suit. An older worker is the same person we already know – just older, more mature. And so (s)he is looking for stability, and a pragmatic environment which – with no trendy nonsense – allows them to get the job done effectively. This new-style worker is very concerned with, and affected by health, healthcare, and safety – it’s unavoidable that as we get older our bodies are less adaptable, and need help. Taking this seriously means avoiding ageist jokes about zimmer-frames or stair-lifts in the office. And recognition of issues such as upper muscular pains (RSI and arthritis), back-ache, aversion to glare (but need for good lighting), diminishing tolerance to background distractions. Today’s office manager needs to provide a new-style nurturing environment for his new, older team. Noise gets replaced by poise, adaptability with ability. The office of the future is less concerned with show-business, and more about know-business. So what can we expect to see in our “office of future? Good lighting, and privacy certainly. Also decent support seating, height-adjustable desking, ergonomic mice and keyboards. Adaptive software that gently assists those with vision challenges. Work-patterns that are measured and managed too – the older body is less able to cope with RSI’s and self-repair. Simple interventions all, that will become essential for all organisations. And a huge boost to productivity for those that are getting it right. For suggestions for “simple interventions” see www.keytools.co.uk. Most employees set to work beyond retirement age? – Bring it on I say! Tim RobertsKeytools…….we make IT easier

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Most employees set to work beyond “retirement age”

Office of the Future:

Most employees set to work beyond “retirement age”

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