#AREYOUAGEIST Day 20th March 2024

19 Mar 2024

As 50 Plus champion for North East Yorkshire and the Humber Jobcentres I want to bring your attention to England’s first ever anti ageism campaign led by the Centre for Better Ageing. Many people hold ageist beliefs possibly without realising. We may have unconscious bias regarding ageing and the charity has found that 37% of people in their 50’s and 60’s say they have experienced age discrimination in the work place. The charity is asking us to think about ageing for the benefit of everyone.

So why from a business point of view should you take action?

As we have an ageing population it is important that people aged over 50 have access to opportunity and training to enable our work places to thrive. It is recognised that work places that have at least 10% of a diverse work force are 1% more productive. Thousands of women leave the work place each year due to the menopause, yet Menopausal women are the fastest growing demographic in the workforce. You could say the over 50’s are a considerable group of people who will support your business and help it to grow. The older population may well be your customers, so it is advantageous to see them represented in your work force. Finally, why would you not want to harness the fantastic skills, reliability and commitment they bring.

The Centre for Better Ageing has produced a quiz to set the conversations going. You can find more by accessing their web site https://ageing-better.org.uk/news/are-you-ageist-englands-first-ever-anti-ageism-campaign-launches Here you will also find useful tools such as the Good Recruitment Guide for Older Workers and be able to sign up to the Age friendly pledge showing your commitment to supporting older employees.

Let’s be part of making North East Yorkshire and The Humber be the best place to work whatever your age.

Anne Brewster

50 Plus Champion

DWP