Report: Health warning for employers: Supporting older workers with health conditions

Employers are being urged to take responsibility for creating an open, positive culture around health at work, in which it is normal for employees to discuss their health conditions, without fear of reprisal, judgement or job loss.

Key findings

• Older workers are more likely than younger workers to be managing multiple long-term conditions, in relation to both physical and mental health.
• Health conditions are the main driver of older workers exiting the labour market before they reach state pension age – and many people still in work are considering stopping work because of their health.
• Disclosing a health condition to an employer is a stressful and repeated process. Poor workplace culture and overly bureaucratic procedures result in many people putting off health-related conversations.
• Access to support is highly variable. Typically, older workers are less likely to access support to manage their health condition at work, and when they do, it is rarely sustained.
• Early access to support, small adjustments to the workplace and working patterns, and managers that treat staff with empathy can make all the difference in enabling individuals to manage their health at work

This Centre for Ageing report is based on research with more than 1,000 people who are managing a health condition at work.