Scots firms battling skills shortages encouraged to give older workers more flexible working

Scottish employers battling skills shortages should consider offering greater flexible working to older workers, who in return for a role that fits around their needs bring valuable experience, according to a new study.

Flexibility Works has discovered that one in five over-55s would like flexible working. Picture: Jacob Wackerhausen/Getty Images.

Flexibility Works, a social business that says it provides practical tools, support and resources to help employers deploy flexible working, has today unveiled the research finding that one in five over-55s would like flexibility, adding that part-time working isn’t the most sought-after option – “contrary to popular belief”.

The consultancy and training organisation said that while 58 per cent of Scottish workers in this age bracket already work flexibly, a further 19 per cent don’t yet and would like the option, while a further 9 per cent would like to reduce their hours.

Flexibility Works also flagged the estimation that about a third of the Scottish workforce is over 50, while according to research from Age UK, across the UK there are 3.5 million over-50s of pre-retirement age who are not part of the workforce, an increase of 320,000 since before the pandemic.

Alana Forsyth, CEO of Glasgow North West Citizens Advice Bureau, says: 'We know - because our team tell us - that our four-day working week and flexible working offering is a strong factor in them staying with us.' Picture: contributed.

Furthermore, Flexibility Works said 22 per cent of all older workers said their main reason for working flexibly, or wanting to, was to wind down to retirement, but it added that the study shows other forms of flexible working “that don’t necessarily involve cutting hours are more in demand and should be considered equally by employers”. They include flexitime, something one in four older workers would like.

Lisa Gallagher, co-founder and director of Flexibility Works, which is part-funded by the Scottish Government, advises employers to talk to their staff and hear their preferred ways of working. She added: “Much has been said about older workers reducing their hours for so-called ‘part-tirement’… But it’s not the only option.

"Our figures show that many more older workers would like a bit more flexibility over their start and finish times, or to compress their usual hours, or work from home a bit more. These could be far easier for employers to implement, and mean they benefit from hiring and retaining more experienced and knowledgeable staff.”

Irreplaceable

Mike Douglas, director of social enterprises, Age Scotland, said many older workers would prefer to work flexibly for reasons such as looking after grandchildren or elderly parents, or suffering due to the menopause, and if employers don’t offer this way of working, “they risk losing some of their most valuable and irreplaceable staff”.

He added: “In order for employers to hold on to older workers, or encourage older workers to apply for jobs in their organisations, it is vital that they adopt flexible working practices for those who need it.”

Those behind the study cite the case of Edward Lindsay who retired from his banking job aged 53, saying it came with long, stressful hours and little flexibility. However, after volunteering with Glasgow North West Citizen’s Advice Bureau, he applied for a full-time role, and now aged 60, he is a financial inclusion officer there working a four-day week. He said: “I work hard when I’m there, and then I get to enjoy longer weekends with family and friends.”

His boss Alana Forsyth said: “We know – because our team tell us – that our four-day working week and flexible working offering is a strong factor in them staying with us.”