So just how welcoming is Britain’s job market to older workers?
The number of older workers leaving their jobs has risen during the pandemic, reversing decades of steady gains for the over-50s in Britain’s workforce. With a record number of job vacancies, employment experts and campaigners say government and businesses could do more to support older people who would like to work. We ask four people about their experiences.
After a 50-year career, most people could think of better things to do with their days than start work at 6.15am. For Bob Pemberton, however, getting up for his job as a customer service adviser with insurance company Aviva puts a spring in his step.
The 71-year-old from Sheffield joined the firm in 2015 after deciding retirement wasn’t for him. He had worked since the early 1970s for the Department of Health and Social Security and later for a trade union.
“I was bored rigid,” he said. “I enjoy working. It keeps me active and my brain going. You start to stagnate if you’re not careful.”
Pemberton says he is fortunate in that he doesn’t need to work. He and his wife, Liz, both have final salary pensions, and they’ve paid off their mortgage. “But my job is rewarding: I work with a great team.”
Aviva lets him work flexibly, doing a few long days to allow a shorter working week. The insurer says investing in older workers creates a diverse workforce and helps pass experience on to younger employees.
Pemberton can work from home, but has been glad to return to the office as restrictions ease: “I thoroughly enjoy being back. It’s great being with a crowd of people.”
He plans to keep working for the social life and stimulation as long as he feels like it. “I certainly don’t feel 71. I’ll probably keep on working for some time yet.”
Having lost his job in 2019, Tim Folan gave up
Read more on theguardian.com
