Marks & Spencer

Recruitment: Improving your reputation

M&S set itself the challenge of attracting staff of all ages, by:

• reviewing policies and making HR staff aware of age issues;
• removing mandatory retirement ages;
• increasing the take up of flexible retirement and introducing improved flexible retirement policies

As well as trying to attract and retain older workers Marks & Spencer has also reviewed its policies for employing people of school age. Since starting work on improving age diversity, the number of M&S employees aged 65 and over has increased, and new youth policies have increased sales floor coverage for peak weekend trading. M&S has successfully added to the diversity of our workforce. In particular M&S has benefited from increased retention of high-performing members of staff. By tackling age issues M&S's reputation as an employer of choice has been enhanced with all age groups.

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