Less than half (45%) of employees aged 55 and over feel supported by employers when experiencing work-related stress or illness, according to research published on Friday (27 March) by Verve Healthcare.
After polling 2,000 UK professionals, researchers for corporate health provider Verve Healthcare found that workers aged 55 and over report receiving the least support at work, of any age group.
By comparison, just over half (56%) of employees aged 45 to 54 feel supported by their employer when experiencing work-related stress or illness.
Nearly three quarters (74%) of employees aged 25 to 34 feel supported by their employer.
Older employees may be reluctant to raise mental health issues and may mask concerns to not appear unprofessional, Simon Jones, director at management consultancy Ariadne Associates, suggested.
Jones said: “The findings don’t surprise me. Employers may not expect older staff to exhibit signs of stress, so pay less attention.”
He added: “Sometimes the language in communicating mental health support is not always in terms that older workers will respond to.” He suggested that HR teams tailor their approach, and introduce the most effective methods of internal communication.
Advising HR professionals about how to better support older workers, Matt Jenkins, founder of management consultancy Dream and Leap, said: “If you want to create a culture of belonging, you have to step into the shoes of every employee you have.”
There’s been increased focus on changing demographics as Gen Z has entered the workplace, Jenkins noted. He said: “While we’ve invested time in understanding and attempting to meet the needs of the incoming generation of workers, there’s a risk that companies have disregarded those who still play an important role in the organisation.
“The current world of work needs to actively work to meet everyone’s needs, regardless of age or length of service in the company.”
Jenkins added: “You can’t change what you don’t see or notice. HR needs to be mindful of seeing and noticing everyone.
“Be curious. Ask what people are experiencing and what they need, and actively work to build systems that mean people can do their best work and be their best selves.”
