Employee health, flexibility key for age-diverse workforce: BSI survey
VIRGINIA, UNITED STATES — A global study by BSI, a business standards company, has revealed that employee health and employer flexibility are crucial elements for harnessing a future age-diverse workforce.
The study, titled “Evolving Together: Flourishing in the age-diverse workforce,” explores how business leaders believe businesses and policymakers can respond to demographic changes to enable individuals to thrive and organizations to grow as greater numbers work beyond the age of 65.
The March 12-25 survey was based on the answers of 932 business leaders spread across nine global markets and seven sectors.
Investing in employee well-being and flexibility
Senior professionals from diverse sectors and countries emphasized structural shifts in work dynamics, economic realities, and formal leave policies over workplace culture.
Maintaining health or mental well-being (54%), flexibility (54%), remuneration and recognition (49%), financial incentives (45%) and skills training (45%) emerged as top priorities for individuals’ career development. On the other hand, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) training received less emphasis globally (37%).
In terms of future-proofing operations, American business leaders emphasized the significance of retraining employees (55%), delivering flexibility (54%), and supporting physical and mental well-being (46%). Notably, diversity and inclusion training (44%) were prioritized higher than the global average, signaling a growing awareness of inclusivity in the workplace.
Susan Taylor Martin, Chief Executive of BSI, stressed the importance of investing in health and well-being, agility, creativity, and putting people at the center of change to unlock long-term productivity gains.
Business leaders seeking government support
According to BSI’s global survey, business leaders want government support to create the conditions needed to attract, train, and retain age-diverse talent and experience – through tax benefits or other financial incentives.
When asked to rank policy priorities, U.S. respondents backed affordable insurance premiums (57%) and tax breaks (57%) to encourage employers to invest in employee training and mental health (47%) as their most-desired initiatives.
“While policymakers have a role to promote this agenda, there is a clear opportunity for businesses to invest in their people and their future workforce through greater engagement to understand their challenges and needs followed with prioritized actions,” said Xavier Alcaraz, Global Practice Director for Health, Safety & Well-being, BSI.
The study underscores the global consensus on the importance of health and mental well-being in navigating the evolving landscape of work. As AI transformation accelerates, there is a growing recognition of the value of upskilling and providing opportunities for experienced workers to flourish in the future workplace.
