Last Updated on: 11th June 2025, 06:33 am
New research from People Insight, published under the title Ageism at Work: Are Older Employees Being Left Behind?, suggests that older employees—especially men—are not receiving the same level of development, recognition, or wellbeing support as their younger colleagues. Despite widespread concern that younger staff may be overlooked, the findings indicate that older generations are the ones at a disadvantage.
The report analyses over 547,000 employee feedback data points from a range of sectors, offering a broad and detailed view of how staff experience the workplace at different stages of their careers. While many employers strive to accommodate generational diversity, the data reveals that support and recognition often decline with age.
Younger workers are clearly benefitting more from structured development. Some 73% of 18 to 29-year-olds say they receive adequate training and development, compared to only 59% of those aged 50 to 59. Similarly, praise is less frequent for older staff, with just 55% of employees aged over 60 saying they feel recognised, while 70% of younger staff report receiving positive feedback.
This trend extends into other key areas, including wellbeing and connection to the organisation’s purpose. With much of today’s workplace wellbeing focusing on mental health and flexible working, the specific concerns of older employees—like physical health and retirement readiness—often go unmet.
Even so, older staff continue to demonstrate strong commitment to their organisations. A significant 77% of those aged 50 to 59 say they plan to remain with their current employer for at least two more years, compared to 57% of 18 to 29-year-olds. However, this commitment doesn’t always equate to higher engagement levels.
Tom Debenham, Managing Director at People Insight, commented:
“Every employee deserves an experience that motivates and inspires them. We hope this data prompts employers to reflect, listen and act, making their workplaces genuinely inclusive for all generations.”
