New guidance on handling menopause in the workplace is a step in the right direction but more must be done to support the UK’s ageing workforce, says leading peer-to-peer support network The Alterative Board (TAB).
Representing hundreds of UK SMEs, the Leeds based company welcomed today’s guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)* which outlines that employers must help menopausal workers or face being sued if they do not make ‘reasonable adjustments.’
However, with an ageing population leading to predicted state pension age of 71 by 2050**, employers desperately need holistic guidance on supporting and retaining employees as they age, says TAB.
“Our stance is clear-cut, the menopause can and will impact on every business,” commented Mags Fuller, FD of The Alternative Board. “Workplace actions are key to whether female employees feel encumbered by the menopause or empowered by their employers to ask for support. But menopause isn’t the only condition that is impacting our ability to continue working in later life. Losing senior team members before retirement age can have dire implications for SME businesses, particularly those with very small teams.
“There are a myriad of other age related physical and mental health conditions that employers need understand to retain and attract staff in later life. Employees can often be under more pressure outside of work perhaps caring for elderly or sick family members and this also needs to be sensitively and appropriately handled. We know many people are keen to keep working into later life, but we must ensure that they are not discriminated against and that there is flexibility to adapt job roles as they age.
“Staying in work for longer is good for employers who are constantly battling to recruit, and it is equally good for employees’ health and wellbeing. It is also far better for society to have an ageing population that is continuing to make an active contribution and feel valued in the workplace. Our TAB members would welcome more expert guidance on supporting their ageing workforces. There is no substitute for skills honed over decades of experience and we really should be doing more to champion and support older employees within the business community.”
TAB believes there is a huge task to undertake nationally to ensure business owners, over 70 per cent of which are men, understand and are happy to manage sensitive issues around ageing with their staff. Retaining employees is a concern increasingly raised at board meetings hosted by TAB where SME business owners meet monthly to address issues they are facing.
TAB is the world’s largest franchise system providing peer advisory boards and business coaching to business owners. The company works with hundreds of SME members across the UK, from sectors ranging from logistics, to manufacturing and family businesses. For more information visit https://www.thealternativeboard.co.uk/
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