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THE DESIRE TO RETIRE EARLY IS OFTEN DRIVEN BY INDIVIDUALS WANTING TO TAKE

ADVANTAGE OF MORE

FREEDOM WHILE STILL BEING

PHYSICALLY FIT AND WELL .

Graham James , Director , Pluxee UK for achieving career advancement across various professional levels .

Employers must support all workers , regardless of age , to learn and develop in their roles . Employees in their early 50s will still have nearly 20 years left of their careers – employers who are failing to invest in developing the skills of this vital talent pool could be missing a trick .

Why older employees fear revealing health issues

It ’ s likely , if not inevitable , that as we age , we may develop health conditions or disabilities – such as impaired sight or hearing . Research by Ageing Better indicates that older employees may hesitate to reveal developing health issues or disabilities to their employers . Among those who reported receiving no support from their employer , 64 % were aged 45 and over . This reluctance often stems from fears about potential ageism in the workplace .

Companies can support their older employees by introducing digital healthcare , which can expedite their recovery process . With absenteeism at a decade-high and 26 % of patients having to wait over a week to see their NHS GP , employers can facilitate access to simple and timely support for their employees . This will help them to stay and thrive in their work environment and increase productivity amongst the older generation .

This is when services such as Online GP and digital healthcare platforms come into play . By using digital healthcare platforms like Online GP , employees registered with the service can book their medical appointments online within 24 hours . This allows all employees , and especially the older generation , to accelerate the road to recovery . Our podcast found that 96 % of users attended a virtual GP appointment within eight hours .

Online GPs not only have a clear positive impact on employees ’ physical wellbeing , but they also positively impact businesses . Companies that embed Online GPs into employee benefits packages often experience higher levels of employee engagement due to the service ’ s popularity .

How ‘ part-tirement ’ redefines work and leisure

For many UK workplaces , adhering to a 9 – 5 schedule within one location has become the new abnormal . Many businesses have transitioned to a hybrid or remote working structure . Research conducted by YouGov revealed that only 6 % of UK employees are working traditional 9 – 5 hours , indicating a growing demand for flexible working . This shift has paved the way for the emerging trend of ‘ part-tirement ’. To address this , the Flexible Working ( Amendment ) Regulations 2023 will be enforced starting April 2024 . It implies that the government should lead by example , overseeing the adoption and effectiveness of flexible working arrangements across various age demographics .

This suggests that older employees are less likely to access support and accommodations to manage their health conditions . This could lead to long-term sickness or employees leaving the company .

Before reaching state pension age , two in five 55 – 64 year olds plan to transition into semiretirement or ‘ part-tirement ’. Older employees often prioritise flexibility due to caring responsibilities . Exploring various flexible work options could help in attracting and retaining