A new UK-based study of older and younger workers has confirmed the benefits of employing a diverse workforce for both employers and individuals. The research, commissioned by the UK based Jobcentre Plus, show that working in a mixed aged workforce is important for both older (66%) and younger (65%) UK workers with all recognising the benefits of working with people of mixed ages.

The research also shows that the number one quality younger workers think their older colleagues bring to the workplace is experience (94%) whilst reliability (66%) and understanding (63%) also featured highly. Comparatively, about two thirds of older workers are impressed by their younger co-workers ability to learn quickly, be flexible (61%) and give them energy (51%).

Whilst both age groups agreed that they enjoy working together there are key differences between them:

• 40% of older workers think their younger colleagues teach them new skills.
• Older workers believe their younger colleagues to be more likely to take risks, with 16% commenting that younger workers are also more likely to be given manual tasks.
• More younger workers (30%) thought older workers were more willing to work anti social hours than older workers (23%) did about their younger colleagues.
• Younger workers stated that their older colleagues were more likely to be left in charge (60%).

Whilst money was the main motivator for work for both age groups, it was more common for younger workers (73% compared to 52% of older workers) and more older workers (22%) confirmed that they work for personal satisfaction.

For further information on this study visit the Jobcentre Plus website .