How Kiwis feel about ageing in the workplace

24 February 2016

MEDIA RELEASE

How Kiwis feel about ageing in the workplace

Only 30% of New Zealanders believe that older people are valued by society, according to a survey by health and care provider Bupa 1 and around 55% of people believe our employers should do more to help older people remain in the workforce.

Additionally, the trend towards staying employed longer is likely to continue, with 68% of New Zealanders concerned with having enough money as they get older.

Should employers do more to help older people remain employed?

Over half of the New Zealanders surveyed believe employers should do more to help people remain employed as they get older. Employers could improve on the measures identified in the survey, such as providing greater flexibility in working arrangements – including being able to work from home or enabling changes or breaks in job arrangements. According to those surveyed employers could also support employees to keep working as they age, providing opportunities to exercise, access to medical advice, health insurance and mental health support.

Providing support for carers

An ageing population means the percentage of elderly family members and relatives that need care is also on the rise. Of those surveyed, the majority (69%) said they felt responsible for taking care of their elderly parents and more than half (56%) felt that employers could do more to support people who are looking after elderly family members.

This number is even higher for women, with 62% of females believing that employers should provide support for this caring responsibility, whereas only 50% of men felt this was necessary.

All figures, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 1010 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 26 February - 13 March 2016. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all New Zealand adults (aged 18+).

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