Midlife review can help companies cope with colleagues who have to be carers

New research showing one in six workers may have to juggle their jobs with caring for a loved one in future is putting employers under the microscope, says Punter Southall Aspire.

That could be the situation by 2040 as an ageing workforce will be pulled in different directions by their priorities at work and at home, according to Aon.

Punter Southall Aspire’s Chief Executive Steve Butler said one in three workers will be 50 or older by 2025 and employers need to factor in this demographic change in tandem with the impact of caring for someone at home.

He said: “Midlife reviews are a useful tool too for businesses to support colleagues in their 40s and 50s to sound out their career, wellbeing, and financial future concerns. They help make the most of their existing workforce, reduce the risk of losing talent and ensure staff can enjoy fulfilling careers for as long as possible.

“Caring for a young family at the same time as an older relative is likely to become a common scenario and the pressure could manifest itself in more sick days as employees struggle to cope. It will dent productivity and damage health and financial wellbeing.

“Companies need strategies to support employees at all stages of their working life, from when they first start their career through to older employees who are in the middle or towards the end of their careers but who still have a significant and valuable contribution to make to the business.”

The author of “Mind the Gap, achieving success with intergenerational teams” added the generational mix in the workplace would inevitably become more complex, leading to a greater onus on businesses to respond to this social and cultural shift.

 For more information visit: www.psaspire.com