Monday, 1 February 2010
Staying in the workforce in mature age: it’s about choice
Welcoming the government’s announcement today of an initial $43 million package of measures that give priority to supporting mature age workplace participation, Commissioner for Age Discrimination, Elizabeth Broderick, said it was vital that these measures allow mature age workers real choice.
“Genuine choice is the key to success in supporting and increasing mature age workplace participation – choice to work if we need to, choice to work if we want to,” Commissioner Broderick said. “Enabling this choice is important because, for various reasons, many people wish to work longer – and let’s face it, people have a right to work.”
Acknowledging that training is an important part of the picture, Commissioner Broderick also commended the Treasurer, Mr Swan, for noting in his speech to the National Press Club today that remaining in the workforce should be a choice and not something forced upon older workers by prejudice or bad policy.
“It is imperative that active strategies be developed to address the discrimination and prejudice that older workers can experience when looking for employment or even continuing in employment,” said Ms Broderick.
Commissioner Broderick said that education and the shifting of community attitudes was critical to achieving these successes for older workers.
“We know that there are workers who are work-ready, skilled up and able to commence employment immediately, yet they struggle to find work because of unaddressed prejudice related to their age – that is, unlawful age discrimination,” said Ms Broderick.
Commissioner Broderick said that the Australian Human Rights Commission already provides a resource, entitled Mature workers mean business, that dispels the myths about mature age workers in the workforce and offers strategies for employers to attract and retain mature workers.
Mature workers mean business is available on the Commission website at: www.humanrights.gov.au/matureworkers/index.html
Read the speech Commissioner Broderick gave on this subject to the Australian Institute of Family Studies last year: www.humanrights.gov.au/about/media/speeches/age/2009/20090806_mature_age.html
Media contacts: Brinsley Marlay 02 9284 9656 or 0430 366 529
