Archive for category Media
active strategies required to address ageing workforce challenge
Elizabeth Broderick is quoted in HR Leader:
“It is imperative that active strategies be developed to address the discrimination and prejudice that older workers can experience when looking for employment or even continuing in employment,” said Broderick.
We would add that employers need to implement intentional programs to address the development of workers in ‘late career’. There is a great paradox; employers will spend a large proportion of their development budget on Gen Y employees who are lucky to stay for even five years, but question investing even a small proportion of that budget on their ‘late career’ workers who may gladly work for another ten years, beyond a traditional retirement date, if they get the right support and training to do so.
In the words of Workforce Planning sage Julie Sloane:
Remember, retention first and recruitment will follow…
GFC only a slight reprieve
SageCo’s recent survey about the impact of the GFC on retirement and working intentions get’s some coverage in HC Magazine.
Anecdotal evidence to suggest that mature workers would hang on to their jobs and defer their retirement plans has been supported by results of a survey by ageing workforce specialists, SageCo.
older and wiser talent pool
“Employers need to retain the talent, skill and knowledge of the triple decker sandwich generation” writes Julia Stirling in The Weekend Australian (16-17 January 2010), in an article featuring SageCo’s Alison Monroe.
Gareth Bennett from Freehills concurs. “People need to know that being a carer or a mature-age worker is not career limiting” adding that they need reassurance that they are an integral part of the firm and that leaders should encourage and indeed role model flexible work arrangements.
And so say all of us!
Triple Decker Sandwich anyone?
SageCo director Alison Monroe is quoted in this excellent article on ‘the sandwich generation’ - baby boomers with elder care, child care and grandchild care responsibilities.
Given that mature workers represent a third of the total workforce, employers need to understand and connect with this generation and support them to be able to work longer, says Alison Monroe, director of SageCo and a member of NEEOPA.
Employers wanting to be ahead of the game can get support from diversity specialists to embed programs and structures that will help this unique generation of employees.
white knights in our sights
Check out the cover story in the latest HC Magazine where SageCo directors talk with Iain Hopkins about the the value of experienced workers in an economic downturn. This is a wide ranging article on the risks, challenges and opportunities of an ageing workforce featuring:
- tips and hints for getting started
- definitions of the four different employer segments and how they’ve embraced mature workers
- helpful questions to ask yourself and your team
- potential pitfalls
- how to measure success