Job fears for mature workers
Read about the experiences of older workers in the workplace.
Employer branding and social recruitment agency, Ellis Jones, and Australia’s leading job site for older workers, Adage, released the report titled Australia’s Mature Workforce last week.
“The results of this year’s survey were unanimous; the majority of mature workers who are employed don’t feel valued by their employers, while those seeking employment are not confident about their job prospects in the next 12 months,” Heidi Holmes, Adage managing director, said.
Only 9% of respondents feel employers are successfully trying to encourage older workers to apply for roles within their organisation.
“Even if mature workers are ready, able and qualified to do the job, often the opportunity isn’t there due to preconceived negative bias about older workers,” Ms Holmes said.
The survey of more than 1,093 of Australian men and women revealed a clear lack of dialogue between employers and mature employees, and a dearth of programs that respond to the needs of older workers.
More than 70% of the respondents have not discussed retirement plans with their employers, suggesting employers are ill prepared for the effects of an ageing workforce.
A majority of respondents had a single driving motivation to find work: financial return. This is a worrying sign given the promise of superannuation as providing the financial security people want as they head into retirement.
Less than a third of respondents received a government assistance payment even though 46% were unemployed.
The report called for more education and engagement on superannuation earlier in the careers of employees.
With 27% having looked for a job for more than 24 months and 75% unsure or with no confidence at all in finding a job this coming year, all that many mature workers want this Christmas is a stable job.
