Employers warned not to neglect older workers

When it comes to performance management and training, older workers are often neglected, according to new research.

The 'Employee Outlook: Focus on an Ageing Workforce' survey from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), has revealed employees aged 65 or over are not receiving the same kind of training or performance attention as younger staff.

More than 2,000 employees were questioned for the poll, and it was found that just 46 per cent of older employees had received a performance review once a year or more. This was in comparison to 65 per cent of younger workers.

Forty-four per cent of older employees said that they had never had a performance review, or not had one in the last two years.

Fifty-one per cent of workers over 65 reported that they had never received any training, compared to just 32 per cent of younger staff saying the same.

The CIPD is now advising employers to ensure they are offering the same opportunities to older workers in terms of reviews and training.

This will be of particular importance come October this year, when the roll out of the final phase of the Default Retirement Age (DRA) will mean that employees will no longer be required to retire at a certain age.

Diversity Adviser at CIPD, Dianah Worman, said, “Failure to address poor performance of older workers may also pave the way for discrimination claims following the phasing out of the DRA if there is a dispute over capability.

"Employers should treat all employees fairly at work to ensure they get the best out of all staff, whatever their age," she added.