Flexitime of our lives
FRIDAY Women who no longer need to care for others are changing how they work to ensure they make the most of their time
M&S blazer £45 BY MARIA CROCE JERALYN Mackenzie is one of a growing number of Scots opting for flexible working so she can see more of the world after caring for her parents stopped her going on holiday for years.
Those aged 55 and over are three times more likely to work flexibly compared with younger colleagues, according to figures released by Family Friendly Working Scotland.
Many Scots are continuing to work on as they get older rather than retiring but three in every five over-55s are now choosing to change their work/life balance by opting for reduced hours or other flexible options.
Jeralyn, 63, from Inverness, has worked for Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) for nearly 44 years, mainly in HR. She reduced her hours from full-time to three days a week three years ago.
She said: “I worked full-time from when I was 19 and reaching 60 was a real milestone. I’d done a lot of caring for my parents, who’ve since passed on, which meant I couldn’t go on holiday for many years.
“I didn’t want to stop working completely. I still enjoy my job and work hard.
“But I realised I had my health and a desire to travel, and I wanted more flexibility in my life, hence the decision to go part-time. “I make use of my annual leave to go on several holidays a year now. I am confident enough to travel alone, which is very empowering.
“I believe in ‘carpe diem’ – you get one chance at life and you have to make the most of it.
“A couple of colleagues died before their time and it proved to me that if you put things off too long, they might never happen.
“When I’m home, I use the extra time for simple things, whether that’s meeting a friend for lunch, doing housework in a more leisurely way, or not feeling guilty if I spend a morning devouring a good library book.
“I don’t have to watch the clock to shoehorn everything in, I can do things in a more comfortable and flexible way.”
About 60 per cent of Scottish workers who are 55 and above work flexibly, whereas only one in five Scottish working adults aged 18 to 44 work this way. And 61 per cent of older Scots who are doing so said they wanted to slow down before retirement.
For 42 per cent, it’s due to caring responsibilities, such as childcare or looking after an elderly relative while 29 per cent want more time to pursue hobbies and activities.
A further 28 per cent want to take longer holidays. Other reasons include study, volunteering and making time for another job they like better.
Nikki Slowey, co-director of Family Friendly Working Scotland, said: “Older workers are driving the conversation about flexible working. Smart employers are listening and ensuring that flexibility is available to everyone.
“This is critical because a third of our current workforce is over 50 and the supply of younger workers is falling.
“Employers may face skills shortages and a shrinking pool of talent as a result, so retaining experienced and committed employees is essential.”
Brian Sloan, chief executive of Age Scotland, said: “Right now, more than half of older people 65 and over have not retired because they aren’t ready to stop working.
“We have a growing number of older people willing to work, with a wealth of experience and who are happy to work flexible hours.
“This provides an opportunity to businesses and offers potential growth for Scotland’s economy.”
Helen Herd, senior HR manager at HIE, which has been shortlisted for a Family Friendly Working Scotland Top Employer Award, said: “We are always keen to look at how we can support a range of flexible working options to help us recruit, develop and retain a highperforming workforce.”
A couple of colleagues died and it proved that if you put things off too long, they might never happen