Good Work and Older People - TAEN Annual Conference – 30 October 2007

TAEN’s Chief Executive, Chris Ball, welcomed a large gathering of members and others to the conference designed to explore the twin, but interlocking themes of Good Work and Older People and Age Management.

David Coats, Associate Director – Policy at The Work Foundation, spoke about Longer Working Lives and the Demand for Good Work. Three key determinants to extend working lives and creating more ‘good work’ were demographic change, the quality of management and quality jobs.  An hourglass-shaped labour market has evolved in the UK over the last 30 years with more ‘lovely’ and ‘lousy’ jobs at the top and bottom and ‘OK’ semi-skilled jobs squeezed out of the middle.  Income inequality was undermining progress and principles of efficiency, equity and employee voice should underpin thinking about work.

Our other speakers discussed the responsibilities of firms, individuals and Government.  Dr Richard Wilson spoke about The Challenges of an Ageing Society and the importance of maintaining employee motivation over longer working lives.  Frances O’Grady, Deputy General Secretary of the TUC, reminded us that not everyone could or wanted to work beyond their retirement age.  She outlined a  requirement for the availability of good work, describing age as the final frontier.  Professor Philip Taylor of Swinburne University addressed The Need to Maintain Work Ability and ways of doing so and Caroline Flint, MP, Minister of State for Employment and Welfare Reform, commented on the Government’s approach.

Carole Smith, NHS Employers Programme Manager joined other speakers for a lively debate on Age Management focused around the supporting TAEN publication Managing the Ageing Workforce: an introductory guide to age management for HR professionals.

The conference was rounded off by Commissioner Baroness Sally Greengross outlining progress in establishing the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).  The EHRC is the first statutory body in the UK to have a specific mandate to enforce the age legislation.