Age in the Workplace

2022 marks CMI’s 75th anniversary. To highlight this milestone, we are exploring what best practice looks like in Modern Management. Our focus is on the barriers that remain for including and maximising talent in the workplace, and how - as managers and leaders, we can take steps to overcome them.

One area that we are researching is age in the workplace.

The Workplace in Review: Age

In CMI’s 75th Anniversary research, 95% of those who thought older workers in their organisation were under-represented either said that their organisation was not proactively trying to recruit older workers to diversify their workforce, or that they did not know if action was being taken.

As more of us face longer working lives, we need to harness the benefits of multigenerational teams. So, what steps should employers take to improve age diversity and inclusion in the workplace?

Watch this documentary to hear perspectives from across the working generations, giving you insights and advice to understand where you can make a difference.

Age Discussion Paper

Age in the Workplace

As everyone faces longer working lives, there is a need to reframe how we think about age in the workforce. Our Advisory Council argued that rather than seeing increases in life expectancy as meaning increases in the length of retirement, how can we increase opportunities for education and training in later life, or support the beginning of a new venture or career? How can we open up and rebalance opportunities across all life stages?

Download the discussion paper

We take a look at the findings from our research and the steps managers and leaders can take to create truly inclusive workplaces. Read the discussion paper on Age in the workplace.

Read the discussion paper

Resources and Articles

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Topic: Productivity

How should younger managers communicate with older employees?

From leaving your comfort zone to adapting your communication, here’s how to bridge communication gaps between generations

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Topic: Personal Development

Next-gen boards and side hustles: how multi-generational teams can “win together”

A new book explores the modern phenomenon of five separate generations working side-by-side in the workplace

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Topic: Personal Development

“I want to show women you can go far in architecture”

Chartered Manager of the Week Vaso Vaina CMgr FCMI aims to be a role model for women

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16d
Topic: Equality and Diversity

How to be an inclusive leader (without virtue signalling)

Research: having a properly trained manager is the most influential factor in people feeling supported at work

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How CMI can help

The Welcoming Workplace: Building Strong Foundations

Supporting low-skilled employees and new starters to succeed in the workplace. This research focuses on the central role that managers and leaders play in supporting low-skilled workers to succeed and progress in the workplace.

View the research

Community and Regional Networks

Have your voice heard on important matters like workplace inclusivity through CMI’s community networks. These are made up of passionate individuals who come together to advocate for real change in their organisations and industries.

Get involved with the Community