Opinion: Why change is as good as a rest for older workers

In Suffolk we've got a brilliant example of how someone with years of experience behind him is putting it to good use with a new challenge.

When I spoke to Ipswich Council's outgoing chief executive Russell Williams about his decision to leave the job last week, his plan to go back to the floor seemed entirely sensible - and the kind of example many senior staff might want to follow.

Mr Williams has been chief executive of Ipswich Council for 13 years. It is clearly a high-pressure, fast-paced job - the kind of job that can often be all-consuming.

It's difficult to ever be completely off duty.

Before he became chief executive, Mr Williams ran the planning department at the borough - he's a planner by profession and training.

And he's returning to that at a Norfolk district council in the new year. He'll be handling planning applications for extensions and new buildings in part of that county.

To me that sounds like a great idea for both Mr Williams and his new employers - and I really do wish him well.

After 13 years of rewarding, but often quite intense, work at the top of the tree in Grafton House I'm sure Mr Williams will enjoy the pressure being lifted slightly.

And from his new employers' point of view, can you imagine the benefits of having someone with his experience sitting in their office - and being able to share that experience with younger colleagues who may just be starting out in the world of work?

This is the kind of move that should be encouraged across the economy - although it does require a certain mindset, and a willingness to reassess one's status in life, from both the individual and their employer.

It isn't unheard of to make this kind of change - but it is still unusual in a world where the usual progression is up the greasy pole until the day you retire and put your feet up for the next few years.

Sometimes such changes in a role can be very successful. Back in the 1990s a long-serving and highly-successful editor stood down in his 50s after more than a decade in the chair. 

He had started his career as a sports writer and within a few month he was back on the sports desk doing a job that he absolutely loved once again - and I know many young sports writers found his experience and encouragement invaluable over several years.

As the government looks aways of making the workforce more productive, it really does need to start looking at ways of harnessing this kind of experience.

Of course it does take a certain commitment by the person making the change.

There is a considerable salary gap between a chief executive or editor and a planning officer or sports reporter.

But for those whose children have left university or whose mortgage may have been paid up, that may not be such a major consideration.

If the government wants to encourage older people to stay - or return - to the workforce, it really needs to look seriously at ways of achieving this.

That is not necessarily just financial - although that will always be a major consideration - it may also be by looking at ways to ensure older staff feel valued, possibly by making age discrimination as unacceptable as other forms of prejudice.

But perhaps what is almost as important as anything is simply creating a positive atmosphere to encourage older people to continue working.

I'm not sure that the government telling those who have given up work early that they're being lazy is really the best way of coaxing them back.

There is a wealth of experience and enthusiasm out there if it can be harnessed by the government and employers. 

And coming back to where I started, I really do wish Mr Williams all the best in his new life.

I've known him professionally for many years and he's always been fair, straight-forward and approachable - the kind of Chief Executive we like to deal with!

I must admit I'm slightly envious of him. He's going to a part of the world I know well and really enjoy visiting. Who knows we might bump into each other again up there some day!