MEDIA RELEASE: Older workers and employers will benefit from new flexible work arrangements

More flexible workplace arrangements to be legislated by the Federal Government will allow the community to benefit from the knowledge and experience of older workers and help many families to better juggle the responsibilities of work and care, according to peak seniors organisation COTA Australia.

Chief Executive Ian Yates said COTA had been fighting for a long time for an expanded right to flexible working arrangements and the positive benefits this would create for older people, the wider community and employers.

“Flexible working and retirement practices allow mature age workers greater support if they choose to extend their working life, and reduce the incidence of people feeling they have to retire early because of inflexible workig conditions.

“Far too often older workers who need to care or help care for their partner or a family member with a disability or illness have had to give up work rather than being able to continue working with more flexible arrangements.

“It will also allow younger family members better options should they decide to care for older parents and relatives while in paid employment.

“Given the Australian population is ageing, flexible work will become more and more important as we recognise the essential contribution of older people to the workforce and rely on their experience and skills.

“We are disappointed that under the announced legislation employers will still be able to refuse requests and that employees will have nowhere to go to get that decision reviewed. COTA will be monitoring the take up of flexible arrangements to see older workers and carers are indeed getting access to these new provisions.

“COTA calls on employers to make the new arrangments work not only because they are legislated but because they make good business sense.

“At present too many well qualified people find it difficult to find or retain work as they get older. We’re likely to see this situation reverse in coming years – with clever employers recruiting mature workers on a flexible hours basis to ensure they have the skilled workforce they need as workforce numbers shrink” Mr Yates said.