Ageing workforce could mean more employment disputes

Published on 5 Jul 2010 under category: legal

Employers must learn how to deal with an ageing workforce, according to one organisation.

Flexible retirement may lead to more employment disputes.

A report published by BUPA last week has predicted that the costs of working age ill health are set to rocket within the next 20 years.

The current loss to the economy is over £100 billion, but the workforce of the future is likely to have more severe health problems, suffer from higher rates of obesity and have more caring responsibilities for others.

This may be down to longer working lives - the Office for National Statistics has predicted that the later life population will reach close to 16 million within the next 21 years.

However, some organisations believe that employers have to also take responsibility for the demands of the ageing workforce.

Commenting on the report, campaign director at the Employers Forum on Age Rachel Krys said: “I think what employers have to consider is how to keep employees engaged and up-skilled in the long-term, and have them as active as possible."

If you require advice on Employment Disputes please call us on +44 (0)20 7831 0101 and ask for David Buckle.