Key information
Request reference number: MGLA011123-9528
Date of response:
Summary of request
Your request
- How many people aged 55 or over have you hired in the following time periods (not including internal promotions, transfers or recruits)? 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 to date (1 Nov 2023)
- Do you have any specific HR policies, support programmes or training opportunities designed for older people joining your Local Authority?
- If yes to Q2, please outline specific support available for older people in your Local Authority.
Our response
Your request refers to councils. For context, please note that the GLA is London's strategic government and does not operate in the same way as local councils.
Please find our responses to each of your questions, in turn, below:
1. How many people aged 55 or over have you hired in the following time periods (not including internal promotions, transfers or recruits)?
2019: 55 and over: 13
2020: 55 and over: 6
2021: 55 and over: fewer than 5
2022: 55 and over: 13
2023: 55 and over: 7 (to 31 October)
The figures about relate to GLA staff hired in ‘establishment grades’ which is in line with our workforce reports. This excludes agency workers and consultants.
Where fewer than 5 individuals fall in a category the data is suppressed to reduce the risk of disclosure.
The data has been drawn from two systems and comparisons with previous years should be treated as advisory.
2. Do you have any specific HR policies, support programmes or training opportunities designed for older people joining your Local Authority?
They will apply whether explicit reference to age is cited or not. These include the GLA’s sickness, flexible working, menopause polices and workplace adjustment policy (that supports employees to remove or reduce workplace barriers including those brought on by age related conditions). We do provide age specific access to our Health Screening Programme.
3. If yes to Q2, please outline specific support available for older people in your Local Authority.
As part of our wellbeing offer, the Employee Assistance Programme also provides support and advice for colleagues about issues that they may face at any age. Our Health screening programme provides staff over 50 with the opportunity to have an annual health screen, staff aged between 41-49 can have a screening every 2 years and for 40s and under every 3 years. Staff over 40 are eligible for breast screening.
If you have any further questions relating to this matter, please contact us, quoting reference MGLA011123-9528.