Over 55s less likely to be asked about flexible working

According to a new survey, older employees are less likely to be asked if they’re interested in flexible working.

Of the 1,200 UK workers surveyed, just 44% said their manager had discussed the topic of flexible working with them and this figure decreases even more for employees aged over 55.

The Phoenix Insights study shows that these figures have risen slightly from February – before it became mandatory to request flexible working from day one in a job.

Cath Sermon, Head of Public Engagement & Campaigns at Phoenix Insights, Phoenix’s longevity think tank, said, “Flexible working can be a game changer for workers enabling them to balance work alongside caring responsibilities, or to better manage their physical and mental health.

“Flexible hours are also particularly important to employees aged 50 and over, playing a vital role in helping them think differently about when and how they work, earn, save and retire.”

Cath added, “However, we know that making flexible work operate in practice needs planning, trust and good conversations between managers and employees.

“The concept of the eight-hour working day is over 200 years old so now is the time for employers and managers to be more imaginative about how to flex requirements and ensure that the legislative change makes a meaningful difference to their employees.

“That’s why it’s crucial for employers to do more to equip and encourage these important conversations to happen and to share best practices from across their organisations to help normalise and empower employees to stay in work for longer.”

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