A recent survey conducted by Novuna Business Cash Flow, involving over 1,000 UK office workers, exposes a significant imbalance in work-from-home options, particularly for employees aged 55 and above.
Despite reporting higher levels of wellbeing, only 17% of this demographic have the opportunity to work remotely, in stark contrast to younger age groups.
Among those in the 55+ age group who are able to work from home, a substantial 48% reported a positive impact on their wellbeing.This contrasts markedly with younger age groups, where only 27% of 18-34-year-olds and 34% of 35-54-year-olds reported similar benefits.
Not only does the survey show that 48% of the 55+ age group feel working from home has a positive effect on wellbeing, it is their primary reason for remote working. This underscores the significance of offering more remote work options to the older workforce
Despite the clear benefits, only 17% of those aged 55+ were offered more frequent work-from-home options by their employers, compared to 44% of younger counterparts aged 18-34, and 23% of those aged 35-54. This indicates a notable gap in the provision of remote work opportunities across different age groups.
Differences in remote work opportunities across age groups may be influenced by the nature of their roles. While younger workers often engage in digital roles conducive to remote work, older employees in leadership positions may still require office presence for effective management.
John Atkinson, Head of Commercial and Strategy at Novuna Business Cash Flow, notes, “The opportunity to work from home is crucial for the wellbeing of our older workers. It’s essential for organisations to consider this need and ensure their remote work policies are inclusive for all age groups.”
Having often spent the majority of their careers in traditional office settings, the older generation may particularly appreciate the flexibility and change that remote work offers, in contrast to younger workers who may have had exposure to such flexibility earlier in their careers.
This sense of gratitude and newfound work-life balance for older employees reinforces the need for employers to thoughtfully consider extending remote work opportunities to all age groups, ensuring a holistic approach to employee well-being and job satisfaction.
