Work: Senior service: Employers Forum on Age awards: Older workers often feel ignored, but wise employers realise that diversity pays dividends. By Julie Ferry

• Published in: The Guardian (London)
• Main Author: Ferry, Julie
• Format: Newspaper Article
• Language: English
• Published: London (UK) Guardian News & Media Limited 21.02.2009
• Subjects: Millennials
• ISSN: 0261-3077

"The standard was very good this year," says Hamish Elvidge, chair of the judging panel. "We look for people making a significant inroad into an issue, maybe for the first time, where age is a factor. Age diversity is about understanding the issues and opportunities that come with people of all ages, whether it's a 50-year-old baby boomer or an 18-year-old generation Y." "Flexibility in hours and work is vital when it comes to age as very few older workers want or are able to work in a traditional full-time work pattern," explains Leon Foster-Hill, engagement, recognition and diversity manager at B&Q. "The ability to work part-time and flexible hours allows us to employ people of all ages. Also we provide a good environment for working parents who can fit childcare requirements around their working hours, so we offer the same benefits to everyone." "The findings will help us ensure we are in the best position to adapt our business to attract, retain and get the best from, not just Gen Y, but peo ple of all ages," says Lisa Campbell, head of resourcing. "We explored the generational collision and the impact of having three generations with differing beliefs and attributes in our workforce."