August 28, 2025

Flexibility Wins With Experienced Professionals Over 50

In September 2023, the number of people aged 50 and over in part-time work in the UK reached a record high, according to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). And that number is still rising.

So, what’s driving this shift – and why should UK employers pay attention?

Let’s be honest: traditional recruitment practices aren’t always designed with experienced professionals in mind. Yet, this is one of the most reliable, capable and underutilised talent pools available today. If you’re struggling to find team members who bring real-world judgement, reliability and immediate impact, experienced professionals aged 50+ are where you should be looking.

But here’s the catch: experienced professionals aren’t just looking for ‘any job’. They’re looking for flexibility, purpose and respect for their time.

And that’s good news for UK employers who are open to doing things differently.

Why Flexibility Matters to Professionals Over 50

A 2021 Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) survey on Planning and Preparing for Later Life asked people aged 40-75 what would help them continue working for longer before retiring. The top two answers?

• Working fewer hours or more holidays (52%)
• More flexible working (44%)

Flexibility isn’t a ‘nice to have’ for this demographic – it’s a dealbreaker. Whether it’s reduced hours, job-sharing, term-time contracts or flexible locations, experienced professionals want to work in ways that fit their lives.

This isn’t about a lack of ambition. It’s about balance, contribution and control.

In fact, flexibility is directly linked to job satisfaction. Among people aged 40-75, those with flexible hours were more likely to report being ‘very satisfied’ with their work (52%) than those without (37%). That’s a huge difference – and it has real consequences for performance, retention and culture.

What Experienced Professionals Actually Want

At Experienced, we work closely with professionals aged 50 and above, and we hear their motivations firsthand. The most common message we get is:

“I want to use my experience to make an impact – but I want flexibility to do the other things that are important to me.”

This aligns with recent findings from Noon and Accenture’s research into midlife women, which found that the most satisfying roles blend:

• Impact – doing meaningful work that matters
• Control – having autonomy over time and tasks
• Feeling valued – being recognised for one’s contribution

In other words, experienced professionals don’t want to step back – they just want to work differently. And when they do, the results can be transformative.

What Businesses Gain When They Offer Flexible Roles

Hiring experienced professionals into part-time or temporary roles doesn’t mean compromising on quality. It often leads to stronger teams, faster impact and better retention.

Here’s why:

• Immediate performance: Seasoned professionals bring proven judgment and crisis-tested leadership, even in part-time roles.
• Mentorship and the spillover effect: Younger staff benefit from daily exposure to experience-led colleagues, creating a natural upskilling loop.
• Lower recruitment risk: Professionals over 50 typically have lower turnover rates and higher reliability, especially when roles match their lifestyle needs.
• Increased resilience: Flexible, age-diverse teams are better equipped to manage complexity and change.
• Faster onboarding: Deep expertise means experienced professionals need less hand-holding and often start contributing value from day one.

Why Now Is the Time to Act

The world of work is changing, and companies that don’t adapt risk missing out on exceptional talent.

Traditional job ads filled with ‘fast-paced environment’ clichés or rigid full-time structures are unlikely to appeal to professionals with 30+ years of experience. Worse still, they might send the message that your company doesn’t truly value human expertise.

By offering flexible, impactful roles, you position your organisation as progressive, inclusive and strategic. You also give yourself access to a talent pool your competitors are likely ignoring.

Smart Businesses Are Already Adapting

We’re seeing more forward-thinking companies create part-time leadership roles, job-share opportunities and consultancy-style contracts specifically designed to attract experience-led talent.

They’re not doing it just to ‘tick a box’. They’re doing it because it works.

Flexible roles attract high-calibre professionals who want to contribute, not coast. And with the right match, in both skills and culture, the results speak for themselves.

Build Your Team With Experienced

At Experienced, we connect businesses with professionals over 50 who bring more than a plain old CV. They bring decades of knowledge, crisis-tested leadership and a deep understanding of how to drive results in ways AI and automation simply can’t.

We combine data-led insights with human judgment to ensure every match delivers both capability and cultural alignment. Whether you’re hiring for a part-time strategic advisor, a temporary project lead or a fractional operations expert, we can help you find someone who will confidently deliver from the start.

Flexible Working Isn’t a Trend – It’s a Strategic Advantage

If you want to build resilient, high-performing teams and tap into the full potential of seasoned talent, it starts with offering the kind of roles that eligible candidates actually want.

And when you do? You’ll not only improve performance, you’ll reshape your team culture for the better.

Want to access exceptional talent over 50 who are ready to make an impact? Join our waitlist and be among the first to connect with experienced professionals seeking flexible, meaningful work. Sign up today.