Grey Power to the Rescue
Issue Date: - Tuesday, 16 December 2008
Western Australian business will be encouraged to employ mature age workers as a way to improve performance and boost the bottom line.
A new publication “Don’t rule out mature age workers” will help small business to attract and retain this group of skilled and experienced employees.
Acting Executive Director Labour Relations, Bob Horstman, says the collaborative project by the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection and the Small Business Development Corporation will be very useful for small employers struggling to compete with large enterprises for skilled labour.
“With fewer young people coming into the job market and an ageing population, an increasing proportion of workers today are in the over 55 age group,” Mr Horstman said.
This trend presents a golden opportunity where the desire of older workers for ongoing employment coincides with the business need for a readily available labour supply.
“Traditionally, mature age workers are skilled, reliable and flexible with a wealth of knowledge and a strong work ethic. This makes them a perfect match for small business”, Mr Horstman said.
In order to tap into this growing talent pool, employers may need to consider new and more flexible ways of working that are attractive to older workers, while still continuing to meet the needs of their business.
A small business which is reaping the benefits of employing older workers is Florescence, an Albany flower farm. Proprietor Charles Reynolds cannot praise his workers enough, many of whom are in the 50 years plus age bracket. “Retaining our older workers has contributed to the success of the business and we have achieved this by offering them benefits like flexible hours and part time employment”, Mr Reynolds said.
For a copy of the publication or further information about mature age employment please visit www.worklife.wa.gov.au or contact Wageline on 1300 655 266.
Note for Editors
A photo of Mr Reynolds and one of his mature age workers in a greenhouse is available on request.
Photo Caption: “Florescence proprietor Charles Reynolds, left, with employee Manuel Navalta who was celebrating his 60th birthday, and Irene Smith from the Albany office of the Labour Relations Division of the Department of Commerce.”
Media contact: Rick Powell, Senior Media/Public Relations Officer,
Labour Relations Division, Department of Consumer and Employment Protection.
Phone (08) 9222 7634 Mobile 0407 424 129
Email rick.powell@docep.wa.gov.au