Part of the solution lies in fitness and wellness support that goes beyond gym training to help people maintain independence, from increasing stamina in physical roles to preventing injuries in office jobs.
Why employers need to support older workers
By 2030, 47% of the UK workforce will be over 50 and many will continue working well beyond retirement age. Experienced employees bring institutional knowledge, mentoring skills, and often higher productivity levels. However, they also face health challenges that can impact performance and increase healthcare costs if left unaddressed.
Employers must rethink how they support employee health across longer working lives. Early investment in wellness programmes and fitness-as-a-benefit supports employees of all ages. The health habits people develop in their 30s and 40s directly impact their function and independence in later life.
The modern challenges of an ageing workforce
Today’s older workers face challenges that previous generations didn’t encounter. Extended working lives mean more cumulative wear and tear from repetitive work activities. Sedentary desk jobs create postural problems that compound over time, and physically demanding roles take increasing toll on ageing joints and muscles.
- Changes to tech mean adapting frequently over the span of a career, and this can involve new physical demands like different workstation setups or equipment.
- Workplace flexibility and hybrid working can mean employees need to work from various locations, and this requires adapting to new physical set ups.
- Mental health considerations also increase with age, with concerns about job security or managing caring responsibilities, and female employees face perimenopause and menopause which can come with mental health concerns.
Physical issues that can affect older workers
By understanding common age-related physical challenges, you can provide relevant fitness and wellness benefits for your older employees.
- Musculoskeletal problems are the leading cause of work-related ill health and absenteeism. As we age, we can all suffer from joint stiffness and reduced mobility, and loss of muscle mass and bone density. Depending on the job role, your colleagues might also experience lower back pain from prolonged sitting or heavy lifting, or neck and shoulder tension from computer work.
- Age-related cardiovascular changes affect stamina and recovery time. Older workers may find it harder to maintain energy throughout long shifts or to recover from physically demanding tasks.
- Balance and coordination naturally decline with age, increasing fall risk and sometimes reducing people’s confidence in physical tasks.
- Slower recovery from injuries or physical exertion can impact job performance or lead to longer time off work.
- Chronic conditions like arthritis, diabetes, or heart disease become more common with age and can significantly impact work capacity (but this can be improved with proper management and support).
Physical fitness for workplace roles
The best employee fitness benefits give people the flexibility to exercise in a way that will directly benefit them for work, recovery, and their life outside of work.
Desk-based workers might want to access postural strength training to prevent back and neck pain, hip mobility exercises, core stability, and a range of cardiovascular fitness for energy and mental wellbeing.
People in physically demanding roles may want fitness benefits that help with injury prevention and performance, like functional strength training, endurance cardio, or movement quality coaching, with access to recovery protocols to offset cumulative physical stress.
Making movement meaningful
Employees are likely to engage more with fitness benefits when they understand how it will benefits their work and life activities.
Functional fitness helps with real-life movements like lifting, carrying, reaching, and climbing stairs. This resonates because improvements in functional strength and fitness translate to better quality of life.
Job-specific training might include back strengthening for warehouse workers, postural exercises for office staff, or balance work for people working at heights.
Physical activity can also support stress management, self-confidence, mental resilience, and cognitive performance, all of which will benefit your colleagues at work and at home.
Creating age-inclusive employee wellness programmes
Successful workplace fitness initiatives cater to employees of all ages, and recognise that needs and preferences change over time. That’s why the best fitness benefits are flexible, giving individuals open access to a broad range of locations, training modalities, and facilities.
Flexible access accommodates different schedules and life stages. Older employees may be juggling different demands on their time to younger people, and may have stronger preferences on when, where, and how they exercise.
Professional guidance becomes extra important as employees age. Make sure your fitness benefits include optional access to qualified fitness trainers who understand age-related changes.
The business case for lifelong employee wellness support
As pension ages rise and skills shortages increase, it’s going to be ever more important to look after older colleagues. By providing fitness benefits that support lifelong wellbeing, you can create a healthier, more productive workforce and reduce healthcare costs.
Hussle gives you an employee fitness benefit that taps into our national network of gyms, fitness centres, pools, and leisure facilities so every employee can choose when and how they stay active.
Ready to explore how comprehensive fitness benefits can support your employees throughout their careers? Get in touch with Hussle today see how our fitness benefits could work for your organisation.
