Returning to work

Many individuals decide to rejoin the workforce, take a flexible approach to retirement, or do something different, over the age of 50. 50+ workers bring vast knowledge to the workforce and play a vital role in helping to train younger generations as well.

The midlife MOT can help those in their 40s, 50s or 60s in planning for their future.

If you have taken time out from work to care for children, it might seem daunting to come back to work. You might feel a bit lost and that there’s been change in the sector since you stepped away.

You may be eligible for support with childcare costs if you’re returning to work.

Going through redundancy can often be stressful and demotivating, although there is nothing to feel embarrassed about – it happens all the time across all sectors and types of organisations.

This might be a useful time to reconsider your career and where you want to go next. Remain positive and be honest about your experiences in any interviews. If you have financial security, it could be an opportunity to take a break from work and try something different, travel or volunteer for a while, to help feel re-energised.

Perhaps you are taking the first step to working with a disability or long-term health condition, in which case you are protected against discrimination in employment through the Equality Act 2010. Employers are required to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ for you in the workplace.

If you have a disability or health condition, there are schemes and resources available to help you find and keep a job. These include Access to Work and the Work and Health Programme. Advice on mental health issues can also be found through Every Mind Matters.

You might want to look out for employers who display the Disability Confident Scheme logo on their job advertisements, as these are organisations that have committed to making their vacancies accessible to people with disabilities or long-term health conditions.