A collaborative workshop organized by the Staff Association Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Working Group

Nearly 25% of CERN staff is above 55 years of age and will retire within the next decade.

Part of this population feels motivated and valued throughout the last part of their career. A small percentage will even keep contributing to CERN projects after their retirement. For others, remaining engaged and feeling valued in their late career is increasingly difficult.

Recent Ombud reports highlight a peak in consultations among staff aged 51 to 55, sustained over the years. More generally, Ombud and Medical Service reports indicate that individuals in their late careers contacting these services, frequently complain of a loss of motivation and meaning, along with some form of perceived discrimination by their management.

These experiences can deeply affect their well-being and sense of belonging in the workplace. The human aspect and personal struggle have also business implications, as they impact the Organisation through loss of productivity and of valuable experience.

The Staff Association’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion WG organizes a collaborative workshop to explore the challenges faced by CERN staff in the late part of their career and to identify possible preventive and corrective strategies to support their engagement.

The workshop will include a short presentation of CERN-related data, a breakout session in small groups and a group summary and wrap up.  The outcome will be used as input by the Staff Association to identify possible measures.  It will also be shared with the management to raise awareness and to inform future dialogue on this topic.

CERN staff in the late part of their career are encouraged to actively take part in the workshop, to share situations they experienced or witnessed, positive or negative, as well as suggestions on how to improve the conditions for the current and the future late-career Staff.

An invitation email will be sent to staff members who are over the age of 50. The workshop capacity is limited by the need to hold discussions of ideas in a few small groups.  Attendance will be on a first-come first-served basis for each department, seeking representation of the different situations existing at CERN.  A waiting list will be established, to replace the registrants unable to attend and enable participation in potential further workshops.