Boosting mature age workforce participation

IRT Group acting chief executive, Stig Andersen, and Age and Disability Discrimination Commissioner, The Hon Susan Ryan AO, signed a Statement of Intent to work collaboratively on projects to tackle age discrimination and encourage mature workers to stay in the workplace.

Potential projects include an 'Intergenerational Job Share' initiative (in which a woman returning from maternity leave may job share with a mature worker), a 'Mature Workforce Roundtable' for employers, and a 'Career Check-up Program' for mature workers. 

Mr Andersen claims the partnership is well-aligned to IRT's mission to create communities where seniors achieve their optimum quality of life.

“Through partnerships with business and community leaders, we are working to change perceptions of older people and ageing,” he says.

“We know from research that engagement in paid work is a factor in better physical and mental health, and we also know that mature workers have a lot to offer in the workplace. Where barriers exist, we want to tackle those barriers in partnership with decision makers.”

Commissioner Ryan believes removing barriers that stop older Australians from continuing paid work is vital to addressing the challenges of the 'longevity revolution'.

“The biggest barrier to Australians enjoying longer and more productive working lives is age discrimination. Age discrimination is not only harmful to individuals; it is holding the whole economy back,” she says.

“While the trend is now in the right direction, we need to speed things up so that all of those in older age groups who are willing and able can get jobs. That is why I am pleased to be working with IRT to promote the employment of older people.”

The Mature Workforce Initiative was launched at The Power of Oldness luncheon, which is part of the 2015 IRT Foundation Speaker Series, last Wednesday.

At the luncheon, Commissioner Ryan addressed community and business leaders on the key findings of the recently released Intergenerational Report and National Report on the Prevalence of Age Discrimination, and the proposal for a National Jobs Checkpoint Plan for older Australians.