This article introduces the Age Inclusion Benchmark Diagnostic and explains how it helps organisations understand, measure and strengthen their approach to age inclusion across organisational systems.

The Age Inclusion Benchmark provides a structured, evidence-based framework that enables organisations to move from awareness of age inclusion to measurable, strategic action.

What is the Age Inclusion Benchmark?

The Age Inclusion Benchmark is a structured diagnostic developed by the Age Diversity Forum to assess how age inclusion operates across key organisational systems.

It evaluates performance across eight dimensions, including leadership, employee lifecycle, policy, procurement and workforce monitoring. Together, these dimensions provide a comprehensive view of how effectively an organisation supports a multigenerational workforce.

The output is a benchmark score, a defined maturity position and a detailed insight report designed to support leadership discussion and decision-making.

Why age inclusion needs to be measured

Age diversity is increasingly recognised as a strategic factor in workforce sustainability, talent development and organisational resilience.

However, unlike other aspects of diversity, age inclusion is often less systematically measured and therefore less visible within organisational strategy and governance.

The benchmark addresses this gap by providing:

  • a clear baseline of current organisational practice

  • an evidence-based framework for assessing maturity

  • structured insight into strengths and areas for development

This allows organisations to move beyond general awareness and towards a more informed and consistent approach.

What value does the benchmark provide?

The Age Inclusion Benchmark is designed to support both reflection and action.

It enables organisations to:

  • understand how age inclusion currently operates across organisational systems

  • identify gaps between strategic intent and operational practice

  • prioritise areas for development

  • support leadership discussion with structured, evidence-based insight

The accompanying insight report provides a board-ready interpretation, making it suitable for use in governance, strategy and reporting contexts.

Who should complete the benchmark?

The benchmark is most valuable for organisations that:

  • are actively developing their diversity and inclusion strategy

  • want to better understand multigenerational workforce dynamics

  • are seeking to strengthen workforce sustainability and talent retention

  • wish to introduce a more structured, measurable approach to inclusion

Typically, completion involves collaboration across functions such as HR, diversity and inclusion, and leadership teams.

From assessment to ongoing improvement

The benchmark is designed as more than a one-off assessment. Organisations repeat the diagnostic over time to track progress, measure the impact of initiatives and strengthen accountability. This creates a consistent framework for understanding how age inclusion evolves as organisational practices develop.

Final reflection

The Age Inclusion Benchmark provides a structured way to understand an area of diversity that is often under-measured but increasingly important. By combining diagnostic scoring with independent insight, it supports organisations in moving from recognition of age diversity to a more integrated and measurable approach to inclusion.

It’s time to “Set Your Benchmark”, follow this link.