SOS: Employers needed to support older workers

The ILC has recently published a report entitled "Retirement in Flux". It suggests that retirement is a process not an event claiming that older workers have responsibility to remain in the labour market where possible to retain their skills and ease the fiscal burden on the tax payer. In fact European Commission research earlier this year revealed that 65% of respondents want to retire gradually. The positive news is that most people can now expect to live 20 years in retirement. Working for longer has a positive well-being effect, way beyond the financial, with improved health in later life meaning there are more opportunities to enjoy leisure pursuits and money to enjoy them. This all sounds pretty fine and dandy BUT the ILC "Thinkpiece" states that gradual retirement will not emerge organically, it requires employers to support their older workers and to reorientate career structures so that the experience of older workers is most effectively utilised. Employers just reflect our current society where if older workers are not asked to work longer, participate in society or continue to learn, then they can assume their skills and talents are not needed. Writing-off the skills, experience and talents of older workers does not make good economic sense for society and the individual so it's time for employers to rethink their approach and start the cultural change needed to create recognition and fulfilment for the increasing numbers of older people in our society.