Stoke-on-Trent City Council is the only UK authority to scope an international award for supporting older people in the workplace.
The council has won the 2014 AARP Best Employers International Award for its workforce practices that make it an age-friendly employee.
Cllr Alastair Watson, cabinet member for finance, governance and human resources at the council, said: ‘We value older staff – and the experience, knowledge and skills they bring – as an integral part of our workforce. The authority is well aware of the economic and social benefits of retaining older employees, which include productivity, financial security, health and social inclusion.
‘As part of our vision of being a great working city, we work hard to ensure that we are leading the way as an age-friendly employer, and we are well aware of the need to attract and sustain a confident and skilled workforce.’
As well as adopting a series of positive human resources ‘people policies’ for council employees, it also joined Workage - – a three-year project comprising of age-neutral interventions through which the council seeks to attract and sustain a confident and skilled workforce.
