Better Being: The Longevity Shift — Rethinking Aging in the Modern Workplace

On Aon — Episode 92

Title: The Longevity Shift: Rethinking Aging in the Modern Workplace

In the latest episode of Better Being, we examine longevity and how it is becoming an important topic for businesses.

Susan Fanning, Aon’s Head of Wellbeing for Asia-Pacific, and Professor Andrea Maier from the National University of Singapore examine how, as people live longer healthier lives, businesses can foster a diverse and dynamic workplace by harnessing the expertise of older employees.

Key Takeaways:

1. The distinction between “healthspan” (the number of years of good health) and lifespan (how long someone lives) is crucial — as is working to reduce the gap between the two.
2. There is a common misconception that aging equals decline. Prof Maier explains that, while most people experience some poor health, much of the aging process is within our control.
3. Employers have a significant role in promoting longevity by adopting proactive approaches to employee health. This includes considering biological age when determining job roles.

Experts in this episode:

• Susan Fanning — Head of Wellbeing Solutions, APAC, Aon (Host)
• Prof Andrea Maier — National University of Singapore

Key moments:

(2:15) Some of our lifestyle habits are so poor that they will have a detrimental effect on our health and lifespans.

(8:00) Rather than insisting on an abrupt end to a working life, it’s better for employers and employees to have a gradual “step-down” process.

(14:55) A switch in careers every 20 years or so will open people up to experiences of different topics, different workforces and different ways of working.

Additional Resources:

3 Strategies to Improve Career Outcomes for Older Employees

Workplace Wellbeing | Aon

Soundbites:

Prof Andrea Maier:

“So I would say it's not only a medical revolution, but it's societal revolution. And there was also a cultural revolution we are changing.”

Susan Fanning:

So, as we're seeing in terms of healthspans and lifespans increase, we're also starting to see that retirement systems as well as healthcare systems are coming under pressure.