From career transition to job shares: free career resources for you

National Older Workers Week has lots of free resources which are useful for workers of all ages.

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'Women stuck in functional roles that bar progression to the top'

Last week was National Older Workers Week on our sister site workingwise.co.uk.
There were events for both employers and candidate and many of the latter are
relevant to working mums looking to get back into the workforce or to change career.

There was a big focus on career transition. Career expert Liz Sebag-Montefiore spoke about career transition and about dealing with redundancy and rejection while CV expert Emma Alkirwi advises on what you should put in your CV and cover letter if you are looking to change careers and how to use LinkedIn tocfind a job. There is also advice for returners and about how to restart your career as a teach or a virtual PA. Outcomes First Group did a webinar on what they have to offer. The organisation is an expert in specialist education.

For employers there were webinars on a new age diversity accreditation scheme from All Generations Engaged and a panel of experts talking about best practice. While the focus was on older workers, much of the best practice is good for employees of any age.

Michaela Gibson Head of DEI Transformation & Programme Management at Phoenix Group, the UK’s largest long-term savings and retirement business, spoke not only about Phoenix Flex initiative which includes all aspects of flexibility, with teams or business units working with individuals to decide what works best for them as well as its policies for carers. They include carers’ leave – Phoenix offers 10 days of fully paid carer’s leave which can be taken in single days, half days or in blocks with extra unpaid leave available for those who need more and an option of a career break of up to a year for those who have been with the company over two years. Phoenix also has a fully funded carer concierge service for anyone who is a carer. The service can, for instance, liaise with care homes and local authorities, advocate on someone’s behalf, negotiate reduced rates for temporary care and generally advise people on all their rights and entitlements.

Meanwhile, Nicky Elford, Head of Colleague Propositions and Policy at Lloyds Banking Group, said Lloyds has added an extra layer to their employee network groups – advisory panels who can challenge managers on every change in policy that is put forward. From January every Lloyds role will be advertised as open to a job share.

To find out more go to www.nationalolderworkersweek.co.uk.