Oliver Bonas has signed the Centre for Ageing Better’s age-friendly employer pledge.
The retailer made the commitment as part of its aim to create “a multi-generational workforce and age-friendly culture”.
By signing up, the lifestyle store has pledged to act at least once a year to improve the recruitment, development and retention of its older employees. It has also vowed to find a senior sponsor for age inclusion among its staff and specifically name age within its equality, diversity and inclusion policies.
Anna Parfitt, people director at Oliver Bonas, said: “We are committed to creating a multi-generational workforce and age-friendly culture at Oliver Bonas. By signing the age-friendly employer pledge we are demonstrating the importance of taking steps to support all ages within our workplace.
“We are proud through our work with our EDI team and Voices network to already be offering many of the key areas within the pledge, including flexible working, menopause support in addition to age positive recruitment advertising. We look forward to continuing our journey working with the Centre for Ageing Better.”
The pledge was set up in late 2022 to encourage employers nationwide to recognise the value and importance of older employees. It now has 140-plus organisations signed up, including various government departments, Virgin Hotels, Ipsos, Zurich Insurance, Reed Industrial and Natural England.
Dr Emily Andrews, deputy director for work at the Centre for Ageing Better, said: “Nearly one in 10 vacancies (8%) in the UK are in retail. Recruiting and retaining older workers will be key to addressing this challenge.
“It is excellent to see Oliver Bonas join over 140 organisations in committing to improving work for people in their 50s and 60s and beyond. Signing the pledge is a brilliant way for employers to kick off their journey towards becoming age inclusive.
“Other retailers can show that they recognise the importance of older workers by following the lead of Oliver Bonas and signing up to the age-friendly pledge.”
