50% of men over 45 years leaving jobs did so because of retrenchment, redundancy, mandatory retirement
Average hiring age is shrinking
According to research: 50% of senior managers and HR managers believe older workers are less productive; 73% of workers over 55 years feel age is limiting their careers
Myths about mature age workers
Unreliable because of health problems
Less flexible
Not "attractive", eg. for reception work
More expensive to employ and insure
Have physical limitations, prone to injury
Less easy to "mould" to positions
Facts about mature age workers:
Take less time off - many companies report drop in absenteeism rates after hiring older workers
Have fewer accidents per employee hour
Have better judgement and critical thinking ability - "have been around the block"
Higher productivity levels, more loyal than younger staff
More committed to excelling in their job
Over 55 year demographic has highest uptake of internet usage (IT is the only industry sector with a good balance of mature age and younger workers)
The advantages of having mature age workers:
Balance young (naive?) enthusiasm with mature wisdom
Knowledge transfer as Gen X workers take up senior roles
Mature workers help maintain the "organisational memory"
Promoting a mature age workforce:
Need better informed HR and line managers - challenging incorrect stereotypes, changing recruitment practices
Company-wide policies to encourage mature age workers - training programs; "eldercare" challenge; greater flexibility
