Addressing the barriers, such as ageism, locking older Australians out of the workplace is key to unlocking Australia’s productivity potential, COTA Australia – the leading advocacy organisation for older people – says.
The call follows a new report, jointly produced by the Australian Human Rights Commission and the Australian Human Resources Institute, which has found almost one quarter of HR professionals now classify workers aged 51 to 55 as “older” – up from 10 per cent two years ago.
COTA Australia Chief Executive, Patricia Sparrow, said the report, Older and Young Workers: What do Employers Think?, matches with the experiences of many older Australians who say ageism is among a key factor which is seeing people locked out of the workforce in their older years.
“We’ve got an ageing population and an ageism problem. It’s a dangerous combination that our decision makers, including our politicians, need to start addressing quickly,” Ms Sparrow said.
“While ageism isn’t the only factor that locks people out of work, it’s certainly a big contributor.
“A recent survey commissioned by COTA Australia found that more than 72 per cent aged 50 and over believe that ageism locks older people out of the workforce. The figure increases to 75 per cent of people who are not in paid employment.
“The impacts on the individual are clear and incredibly difficult, but the issue is clearly also a broader one for Australia’s overall productivity.
“We need to knock down the barriers that stop older people from staying in the workforce or starting something new. Too many older workers face discrimination and are being overlooked, undervalued or pushed out of the workforce, which doesn’t just have personal impacts, but is also a drag on the economy.
“If we’re serious about building a stronger, more sustainable economy, we need to back older Australians. That means smarter policies, fairer workplaces, and a shift in attitude.
“When older workers are locked out of employment, workers of all ages miss out on the skill sharing and breadth of knowledge, experience and enthusiasm that comes with having age diverse workplaces.
“The more we sideline older people, the more we all lose, through wasted experience, lost productivity, and missed chances to build a better future. Ageism doesn’t just hurt older people – it impacts us all.
“Putting measures in place to address workplace discrimination will be good for everyone – older people who want to continue to work, businesses, younger workers, and our economy as a whole.
“Older Australians aren’t a problem to fix. They’re a big part of the solution. It’s time we saw them that way.
Media contact: Tamara Kotoyan, 0430 291 890 or Alana Mew, 0419 929 722