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Employers Forum on Age announces the winners of their esteemed equality in the workplace awards 2009.

27 February 2009

 Employers Forum on Age announces the winners of their esteemed equality in the workplace awards 2009.
Joan Bakewell presents Awards: ‘Celebrating Success, Inspiring Others'

The winners of the 2009 Employers Forum on Age Awards were announced at the ‘One size doesn't fit all!' Conference on 26 February. The Awards, which showcase the achievements of organisations that have taken a lead in promoting workplace wellbeing and age diversity in the UK, were presented by Dame Joan Bakewell, the Voice of Older People.

Awards were made in five categories to showcase the innovative ways in which companies have promoted good practice directed at employees across the working lifespan, reminding us that all employees have an age. Employee engagement and business results will be enhanced if life stage and age is taken into account in the employment relationship. Entrants were judged on outcome as well as policies and on evidence that they have made a significant business impact.

Dame Joan Bakewell said at the ceremony, "As age diversity is the objective, changes in working and retirement patterns are inevitable. We live in shifting and critical times, therefore waiting until 2011, for the Government review, is simply too long for those who are facing these issues now. The legislation surrounding the Default Retirement Age is too complicated, not satisfactory and urgently needs updating."

Categories and winners:

Health and Wellbeing:
Winner: First ScotRail introduced a people strategy that emphasised employee health and wellbeing, adopting a range of health measures and launching a number of wellbeing campaigns.

Highly commended: West Midlands Police aimed to provide a working environment that supports the wellbeing of all staff with a particular emphasis on the health and fitness of female staff and of police officers whose careers can span 30 years.

Innovation in flexible working:
Winner: Centrica's work:wise programme was designed to offer individuals, irrespective of grade or statutory requirements, greater control over their work-life balance, while achieving a more efficient use of office space.

Highly commended: McDonald's set out to develop flexible working options by capitalising on one of its strengths as a business. recognising that nurturing a culture of flexible working benefits both the business and staff.

Innovation in attracting and retaining baby boomers:
Winner: British Gas Service's campaign to fully embrace anti-ageism legislation led to sweeping changes to its training and recruitment activities and introduced new contracts for staff who wanted to alter their working arrangements.

Harnessing the potential of Generation Y:
Winner: Addleshaw Goddard explored how the world of work is changing by understanding the views and aspirations of Generation Y and what impact this will have on organisations within the legal sector.

Lifelong learning:
Winner: McDonald's developed a commitment to lifelong learning within the business by providing recognised qualifications, initially in basic skills, to all staff regardless of their age and experience.

Catharine Pusey, Director of The Employer's Forum on Age comments, "The Awards are a fantastic opportunity to recognise employers who promote best working practices to the benefit of their organisation and their employees alike. The Awards are a chance to celebrate their success as well as highlighting them as an inspiration to others and we were delighted with the high standard of the entries this year.


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For further information please contact:

The Employers Forum on Age
Beth Vaughan   0207 785 6539    beth.vaughan@efa.org.uk
Catharine Pusey  0207 785 6556   catharine.pusey@efa.org.uk

Or

Lansons Communications
Livia Murphy   0207 566 9718   liviam@lansons.com
Helen Thomson  0207 294 3604   helent@lansons.com

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