The Department for Work & Pensions recently released data that shows over one million people 65-years-old and up were employed in the UK last year, approximately double the figure from 2004.

The data shows that more than one in 10 of those people were working full or part time last year. These government stats also revealed 69% of those aged 50-64 were in work, the highest number on record. This news comes just four years after the abolition of the default retirement age.

Human resource experts have been chiming in singing the praises of age diversity in the workplace. There is research that actually proves this kind of diversity increases productivity.

Of course a mixed workforce poses different issues for management and business owners. HR experts suggest management and authorities be trained on recognising generational differences. When you have five different generations working together at the same time, differences and conflict are bound to present themselves.

Former pensions minister Baroness Altmann reacted to these figures saying it is a “social revolution”. On the flip side, Age UK is afraid that this might not be such a positive thing. There is fear that many people are delaying retirement because they cannot afford to do so.

Whilst there is no support for these statements, the government has said that it is committed to supporting older workers.