Mature workers in demand
A number of leading Australian retailers such as Woolworths have identified mature-age workers as a future priority for their company’s diversity and equal opportunity strategies, with over 6% of the supermarket chain staff now being more than 55.
A Woolworths spokesman, Luke Schepen, said that “the more mature workforce is not only a very reliable workforce but there are plenty of opportunities available for them. They also provide a valuable mentoring and development role for our younger employees”.
Although Woolworths has a high proportion of younger employees with 45% under 25, the company recognised that the input from older workers was significant.
“It has certainly struck the right balance for us in our stores and across our divisions,” Mr Schepen said.
The increased interest by many Australian employers today in older workers has come from a comparatively low base in 2006. Then an Australian Productivity Commission report showed that there were relatively low work participation rates for 55 to 64 year olds.
Australia then ranked 13th by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development below countries such as Britain, the United States and Canada.
