Episode Details

As people live longer, work longer and redefine what later life looks like, businesses are facing a challenge that many have yet to fully recognise. While organisations continue to invest heavily in attracting early-career talent, many are overlooking one of the fastest-growing and most experienced talent pools available: workers over 50.

In this episode of HR Insights: The Podcast, Stuart Elliott is joined by Lyndsey Simpson, Founder and CEO of 55/Redefined and author of the Sunday Times bestselling book The Age Rebellion. One of the leading voices on age intelligence, Lyndsey works with organisations around the world to rethink how they attract, retain and develop over-50s talent, helping businesses turn demographic change into a competitive advantage.

Together, Stuart and Lyndsey explore why the traditional view of retirement is rapidly becoming outdated, what the "100-year life" means for employers and employees alike, and why many of the assumptions organisations still hold about older workers simply don't stand up to the data. From the myths surrounding ambition and technology to the commercial case for age strategy, the conversation challenges businesses to rethink how they view experience, careers and workforce planning.

The discussion also looks at the rise of multi-generational workforces, the importance of intentionally creating intergenerational teams, and why age should be viewed as a strategic business issue rather than simply another diversity initiative. Whether you're an HR leader, business leader or someone thinking about your own career, this episode offers practical insights into one of the biggest workforce shifts of our time.

Key timestamps

• 00:30 – What the "100-year life" means and why it changes everything
• 05:50 – Debunking the biggest myths surrounding older workers
• 12:05 – Why our perception of age and work needs to evolve
• 17:59 – How ambition, purpose and motivation change later in life
• 24:01 – Why "overqualified" is one of the most damaging labels in recruitment
• 26:04 – Why organisations focus on younger generations and what they're missing
• 27:28 – The commercial value older workers bring to today's businesses
• 29:47 – Why age has become the overlooked element of DE&I strategies
• 30:54 – How demographic change is reshaping the workforce
• 33:37 – The realities of managing a multi-generational workforce
• 37:32 – Building intergenerational teams that drive better performance
• 40:19 – Why storytelling helps bridge generational divides at work
• 43:40 – Where businesses should start when developing an age strategy

View Transcript here

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