Accolade for recognising importance of older workers

One of the West’s highest-profile firms earlier this month gained an industry accolade for how it treated experienced workers.

Investment firm Hargreaves Lansdown (HL) has been named among Britain’s top “age inclusive” employers.

According to the Bristol-based firm, it is the first FTSe-100 to receive the accolade from 55/ Redefined – a UK organisation that champions anti-age discrimination.

HL said it was recognised for playing a role in changing attitudes and challenging age discrimination. It also said the accreditation would help job seekers identify HL as an “agefriendly business” to work for.

So far, 12 UK companies have become accredited by 55/Redefined – Rethink, Rank, ITV, HL, Slater & Gordon, Motorpoint, Boots, Dentsu, the Workshop, Together Money, Bank of Ireland and Capgemini.

Abi Taylor, head of recruitment and onboarding at HL, said: “The Age Inclusive employer accreditation helps to evidence our commitment to develop a diverse and inclusive culture where colleagues are engaged, empowered, work together and live our values. We want to create an environment where colleagues respect and celebrate diversity so that everyone can be their authentic selves.” well and guess what, they don’t have the same remuneration expectations.

A new study by 55/Redefined – ‘The Unretirement Uprising’ –found two thirds (65%) of people believe age works against them when applying for jobs.

“This whole remote working thing –there is probably going to be an optimum point where it seems great – but ultimately it is going to take work offshore

“There is a level of naivety among the workforce, we are perhaps in that sweetspot of living in Bristol, Birmingham or Manchester or wherever instead of London.

“But it is only a matter of time before someone says ‘you know Dave down in Padstow, we haven’t seen him for years’. It wouldn’t make any difference if it was Dave living in Bangalore.

“There is no cultural connection, no personal relationship, the things that are the glue in the organisation.

“I think you need to be careful with what you wish for with remote working, because ultimately it might become more remote than you planned.”

He said that although the economic outlook was challenging at the start of 2023, he retained a degree of optimism.

“As small business owners you get to that point that we’ve had everything thrown at us – we are going to have to adapt and dig deep, but it doesn’t have to be fatal. At Hunter we have always played a long game and grown at a rate that is sustainable.

“I can’t see there being a change in the supply and demand of workers, so as long as we have reasonably stable economic conditions I’d be cautiously optimistic.”

Despite this, the research revealed older workers are keen to remain in the workplace, with six in 10 open to reskilling for a new role.

Lyndsey Simpson, founder and chief executive of 55/Redefined, added: “Age Inclusive employers such as Hargreaves Lansdown play a crucial role in working to change attitudes towards older workers, both in their own businesses and wider networks.

“An inclusive recruitment process and diverse working environment allows businesses to benefit from this overlooked demographic of talented employees, whilst ensuring older workers feel valued and supported within their job roles.”