Jobs For Older People
With the state pension age ever-increasing, there are more and more older people looking for work every year in the U.K. The employment rate of people aged 65 and over has steadily risen over the last 20 years and it now stands at a figure of 1.32 million people.
Career changes are on the rise too, with people estimated to have around 12 jobs in their lifetime. Changes in career statistically occur less as your age increases but they certainly don’t stop. Especially not in this day and age with a post-pandemic economy and mass redundancies.
All of this means that more older people than ever are searching for jobs.
If you want to know more about potential jobs for older people, this page is here to help you in your search.
What Jobs Can Older People Do?
There can be no age limits on jobs. This would be age discrimination and illegal under The Equality Act (2010) in the U.K. If you think you have been discriminated against due to your age, make sure to report this to the appropriate channels and make sure to seek out the support you need.
People of any age can do any jobs and there shouldn’t be jobs that exclude older people, whether intentionally or accidentally. Ageism isn’t always obvious, it can be done in small, implicit ways to make you feel excluded or “edged out” of your job. It is important that we are all able to recognise ageism so that when we see it, we can call it out.
If you are older, you can work in whatever way you would like.
Whatever you feel fit to do, is what you are fit to do.
What Are the Best Jobs for Older People?
The best jobs for older people are the jobs that older people want to do!
The best jobs out there will be the ones provided by companies and organisations with their employee’s best interests at heart. All you need to work efficiently as an older person is to be listened to and understood. When this happens, Reasonable Adjustments can be made to make sure that you are able to fulfil your work tasks and assignments without unnecessary barriers.
Companies should be working towards an equal, diverse, and inclusive environment that allows people of all ages to work and thrive within that work.
There are some aspects of working that people over 60 may prefer. Some older people may prefer jobs with flexibility in terms of time and work patterns and so looking for jobs that offer part-time roles or flexi-time is a good way to go.
Remote roles can be good options too, as you can create an environment you physically feel the most comfortable in while you work. These roles are much more popular and available after the Covid-19 pandemic.
But these should be choices and not something you are forced into because of your age. If you don’t want to work part-time or at home, you don’t have to.
Where Can I Find a Job as an Over 60?
If you are an older person and you want to find a job where you will be both supported and respected, you need to find a company that is Diversity-Positive and accessible.
You can find job postings from such employers on our very own inclusive and diverse job board. There you will find all types of jobs that are suitable for a wide range of people. These job postings won’t exclude or discriminate against any category of people and are there to recruit appropriately based on merit and skill.
You can take a look at some of our resources on being a diverse job-seeker too, to find out more about what support and guidance you can get during this time.
If you want to work until you are 100, you should be supported in doing so.
