AGEISM IN THE WORKPLACE

1
AGEISM IN THE WORKPLACE The business case for
age diversity preparing for legislation
Steve Billam
2

• Rationale for Government involvement
• Economic contribution
• Pensions
• Agenda of equality and opportunity

3
(No Transcript)
4

• Government response
• PSA target
• New Deal 50
• Pathways to work/IB reform
• Deferral of State Pension
• Tax changes in treatment of private pensions
• Age Positive and Guidance Campaign
• Legislation

5

• Age Positive the campaign
• 1997 original consultation
• 1999 launch of the Code of Practice
• 2001 Code evaluation
• 2002 updated code A Practical Guide for
  Business
• Raising awareness with GB employers
• SME campaign
• Case study and champion material
• Flexible working

6

• Removing the barriers
• challenging ageist stereotypes
• changing the culture of business
• removing ageist barriers
• focus on skills, competence NOT age
• promoting more choice and flexible working
• removing the cliff edge of retirement
• acknowledging demographic change

7

• National Guidance Campaign
• Be ready
• GB wide targeting 1.4 million employers
• Busting the myths
• Personnel organiser

8

• Legislation
• The role of DTI
• The role of DWP
• CEHR

9

• The case for up skilling workers of all ages
• One-fifth of employers reported that the skills
  of their workforce are not sufficient and
• For 30 of employers this leads to higher
  operating costs
• One-fifth of the total respondent base reported
  that vacancies remained unfilled due to skills
  shortage

10

• Skills and Qualifications
• Older people/younger people
• New Deal for Skills
• Employer Training Pilots

11

• Why EQUAL is important to the age agenda
• Cross cutting
• European context
• Mainstreaming
• Empowerment

12
AGE POSITIVE TOOLS
www.agepositive.gov.uk