Over 50s are least happy employees

According to the latest employee survey by BMRB, the Government’s initiative to encourage firms to employ the more mature worker could prove a challenge as over 50s are not as satisfied with their working lives as younger people.

The BMRB survey indicates that the over 50s have a lower satisfaction with their employer than younger people. Only 34 per cent of over 50s say that they are “very satisfied” or “extremely satisfied” with their employer, compared to 41 per cent of 30-49 year old employees and 52 per cent of the under 30s.

A further indication of their dissatisfaction is that older workers are less likely to think that employers treat employees fairly. Around three-fifths (62 per cent) agree with the statement “Everyone at this organisation is treated fairly whatever their race, sex, age or disability”. Under 30s and 30-49 year olds are much more likely to agree with this statement (74 per cent and 68 per cent respectively).

Their experience of the workplace also seems to influence their views on their “total compensation and rewards package”. Just 38 per cent of over 50s say it is ‘excellent’, compared with 44 per cent of 30-44s and 49 per cent of employees under 30.

Furthermore they are less likely to think that their employer provides strong leadership and excellent managers. Only 42 per cent of over 50s would describe their manager as “excellent”, lower than the 49 per cent of 30-49s and the 58 per cent of under 30s. Senior managers come under similar criticism; 40 per cent of over 50s think that their organisation has “strong and capable senior management” compared to 47 per cent of 30-49s and 62 per cent of under 30s.

However, far from just being grumpy, this group are actually more likely to enjoy the duties and activities that make up their job; 72 per cent say so compared with 70 per cent of 30-49s and 64 per cent of under 30s.

So what lies behind the more negative attitudes that the over 50s have towards their employers? Perhaps the types of jobs they do are different? According to BMRB’s research it’s not the case that they are more likely to be in jobs where employment conditions are more difficult, such as in part-time or shift-work.

In explaining these findings, Lynne McClymont, author of the report, says, “One explanation could be that the over 50s have higher expectations of their employers, including the rewards they will receive and the quality of senior management within their organisation.”

McClymont continues, “An alternative explanation is that they are in a better position to accurately appraise their employers - they tend to have been with their employer for longer and are more likely to be managers themselves.”

The survey does not specifically investigate discrimination in the workplace but it’s likely that ageism is affecting some over 50s and making them feel less satisfied with their employer. BMRB research in 2006 showed that 15 per cent of over 50s believed that they had received less favorable treatment in their workplace because of their age.

Contact

Lynne McClymont, BMRB, Tel: 020 8433 4319

Survey Information

Source: The National Employee Benchmark Study (NEBs) from BMRB. BMRB’s NEBS survey was conducted among 2,393 employees in the UK during July 2007. A representative sample of all adults was contacted by telephone, screened to ensure they work full or part time in an organisation employing 50 or more people. All eligible people were mailed a questionnaire. The response rate was 50%. The final data weighted to be representative of age and industry type (ONSS).

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