With the pension age rising, there’s a government-backed push for Australian businesses to hire older workers. But will age prejudice get in the way?
Are you subconsciously allowing ageism to colour your view of employees?
The Telegraph reported that according to an international survey of HR directors and executives, there is a “silent tipping point” at which employees are seen to have less value or be less attractive to the organisation.
When asked at what age this tipping point occurs, more than half of the HR directors said 50 years old, while more than a third said 60.
Of the executives, about 41% said the tipping point was 50, while 46% said it was 60.
The survey was carried out by professional services company KPMG and associate partner David Knight told the Telegraph that despite legislation banning age-based discrimination, it was still alive and well in the workplace.
“It seems that organisations still have to rethink their attitude towards the older employee, learning to appreciate just how productive they can be. Some of the findings are born out of reality and some out of perception, but it’s terribly generalistic to say the old are not good and the young are.”
According to the Australian Department of Employment website, those aged 45 and above are considered mature-age workers and the recent budget announcement unveiled an incentive for employers, who will be paid up to $10,000 over two years if they hire eligible workers aged 50 and older.
Website adage.com.au owner and managing director Heidi Holmes told HC Online that HR leaders and recruiters needed to educate employers about the benefits of hiring mature-age workers.
She said the workers added value to an organisation in terms of life experience, adaptability and loyalty.
“They are shown through statistics to stay with their employer for two and a half times longer than someone under the age of 30.”
Related articles:
Government to pay business to hire mature workers
Youth employment: are you inadvertently ageist?
