Greater Manchester launches toolkit to support age-friendly workplaces

Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has created an Age-Friendly Toolkit to inform and support employers on the positive impact of workplaces that are inclusive of older colleagues.

The resource is the first of its kind for a city-region, and aims to help businesses access the benefits of a thriving and age-friendly workforce. The toolkit includes information on flexible working options, age-positive hiring best practices, and how to encourage career development among older employees. The Age-Friendly Toolkit has been developed in line with principles established by the Centre for Ageing Better.

Analysis from the OECD shows older workers are likely to play a key role in boosting an organisations performance as a result of their lower job turnover, management experience and general work experience. Further data also showed that having a worker over 50 increased productivity of co-workers, particularly younger colleagues.

Cllr Bev Craig, GMCA lead for Education Skills, Work & Apprenticeships, and Digital said:

“The World Health Organization previously named Greater Manchester as the first age-friendly city-region in the UK, and we are now the first city-region to develop an innovative toolkit to help employers to build an age-friendly workforce.

“There are a vast number of opportunities an age-friendly workplace can bring, not only to individual businesses and employers, but also to the overall economic health and prosperity of our city-region. We want Greater Manchester workers to feel they are valued and have work prospects, regardless of their age.”

Kim Chaplain, Specialist Advisor for Work at the Centre for Ageing Better, said:

“There is clear evidence that an age-inclusive workforce benefits employers and employees alike; keeping over 50s in good jobs will see everyone in the workplace benefit from the wealth and diversity of experience that many older workers can bring. This toolkit really is a pioneering approach to promoting age-friendly practice and Greater Manchester will set the context for other regions to follow.

“I am looking forward to taking part in the launch event which will be a great springboard for the age-friendly toolkit, and I’m excited to see how it evolves and progresses from here.”   

A webinar will take place on Thursday 19th May to showcase the new toolkit and give businesses in the city-region the opportunity to learn about the positive impact creating age-friendly workplaces can have on a business. A panel of speakers from The Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter and Centre for Ageing Better will share their expert advice to those attending.

Those attending the webinar will be able to hear from:

• Ian MacArthur, Director of Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter at the Growth Company
• Kim Chaplain, Specialist Advisor for Work at the Centre for Ageing Better
• Jay McKenna, Regional Secretary at TUC
• Cheryl Lontton, Diversity & Inclusion Manager at Electricity North West

Register to attend the launch event webinar for the age-friendly toolkit online here.

Employers in the city-region have been sharing stories of the positive impact an age-friendly workforce has brought to their organisations, including Stockport-based Electricity North West, one of the founding members of Greater Manchester’s Good Employment Charter. Rachael Parr, Human Resources Director at Electricity North West, said:

“A third of our workforce is over the age of 50, with some of our colleagues choosing to work on into their 70s, sharing their valued experience with colleagues.

“All employees take part in performance reviews and are encouraged to have personal development plans in place. There are no restrictions on the roles individuals can aspire to and Learning and Development opportunities are open to all.”

Greater Manchester’s Age Friendly Toolkit is available to download from the GMCA website here.