Article by Ceri Wheeldon
It would appear that during the recession, it is the “Madonna generation” who have fared better when it comes to finding employment according to a study by the CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development).
This is great news, as we have extolling the benefits as to why women over 50 make great employees on the Fabafterfifty website for some time. The news should also be a confidence boost to any women over 50 currently seeking employment – you are very employable and employers do appreciate the skills you are able to bring to the workplace.
Interestingly, the CIPD report also shows an increase in the number of women choosing to be self-employed - again we have seen just how successful some of our ‘fabpreneurs’ featured in our ‘Fabwomen’ section have been.
Some key points from the CIPD study relating to women over 50 in the workplace:
“When it comes to work, older people have clearly fared better than young people during the jobs recession. But what’s also clear is that older women have done best of all. While a combination of population ageing and fewer people wanting to retire early, either for financial reasons or because of a broader desire to prolong their working lives, is boosting the older workforce, it is older women that are getting most of the available jobs. Just why this is happening requires further examination, though with the modern generation of 50 something women more likely to view Madonna than Grandma Grey as a role model, the economically active older woman is well on course to be ever more prominent in British workplaces in the coming years.
Women aged 50-64, and men and women aged 65 and over are the only age groups to have registered an increase in both the number in work and employment rates since the start of the jobs recession and have also registered the smallest increases in unemployment.
• The relatively stronger employment outcome for women is mainly the result of a substantial rise of 172,000 (16.3%) in the number of women in self-employment. The number of women working full time as employees has fallen by 220,000 (3%), partly offset by a small rise in part-time employment (up 44,000 or 0.9%).
To see the full report go to the CIPD website
Ceri Wheeldon
Ceri is Founder and Editor of Fabafterfifty.co.uk She is also a headhunter with 20+ years experience working on international assignments and offers a jobsearch coaching service to jobseekers
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