Page 11 - Gi February 2019 - flipbook

Employers urged to talk to staff guidance on preparation.
Aideen Young, Evidence
about retirement plans Manager at the Centre for
Ageing Better, said: “We
often hear that, following
the removal of the default
A significant number of The report concludes retirement age, employers
people worry about retiring that there is a general lack have become worried about
of both preparedness and talking to older workers
planning for retirement about retiring for fear
across society, particularly of being ageist. And yet
amongst those on lower employers have a pivotal
incomes. It also shows that and very positive role to
women tend to engage in play to support people to
planning for life after paid think about and plan for
work even less than men. this major life transition. As
People with a high working patterns change
sense of control over the and become more fluid,
decision of when to retire the need for support and
AS PLANNED STATE of those who plan to retire are more likely to plan for guidance to help people
pension age changes come in the next five years are the transition and to have think about their future
into effect, the Centre for looking forward to it. better outcomes in later life only increases.
Ageing Better is calling Two in five (41 per as a result, it says. “Our message to
on employers to help cent) are worried about As life and work patterns employers is that it’s good
staff plan for retirement, managing their money; a change, the Centre for to talk. Far from being a
including when and how third are concerned about Ageing Better is calling on risk, being open and positive
they want to retire. feeling bored (33 per cent) employers to consider the about how to manage
According to HR News, a and missing their social role they play in improving the retirement transition
new report from the centre connections from work people's readiness for will help them to retain
says a significant number of (32 per cent); and nearly a retirement and to provide experienced staff, who as
people worry about retiring. quarter (24 per cent) worry staff with a supportive a result will likely go on to
Data from a poll of over about losing their sense of environment in which to experience more positive
50s suggests that only half purpose once they retire. discuss plans and offer outcomes in later life.” ■

Recruitment difficulties reach record levels

THE UK’S LARGEST private tried to recruit in the final In the services sector, 70 the UK, business concerns
sector survey of business quarter of 2018 reported per cent of firms reported about the government’s
sentiment has revealed that recruitment difficulties – difficulties recruiting, down recent blueprint for future
companies are finding it the joint highest level since slightly on the record high immigration rules must
harder than ever to recruit the British Chambers of in the previous quarter be taken seriously – and
the right staff. Commerce (BCC) survey (72 per cent). companies must be able to
Four out of five (81 per began in 1989, according to The results of the poll of access skills at all levels
cent) manufacturers that Personnel Today. 6,000 firms – employing without heavy costs or
more than one million bureaucracy.”
people in the UK – underline In December, the
the impact that the current government confirmed
levels of uncertainty that the UK would adopt
are having on a stalling a skills-based immigration
economy as growth in system after Brexit.
domestic sales has reduced. Suren Thiru, the BCC’s
Dr Adam Marshall, Head of Economics, said:
Director General of the BCC, “Our latest survey suggests
said: “Brexit is hoovering that UK economic conditions
up all of government’s were worryingly subdued
attention and resources, but in the final quarter of
it’s far from the only cause 2018, with a number of key
of uncertainty. indicators continuing to
Economic uncertainty is “Given the magnitude of weaken under the weight of
stalling the UK economy the recruitment difficulties persistent Brexit uncertainty
faced by firms clear across and rising cost pressures.” ■

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