The Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has developed a free online training package to help the Australian Public Service tap into the benefits of employing older workers.
Upholding the Rights of Older Workers highlights the potential of multi-generational age-friendly workplaces.
Age Discrimination Commissioner, Kay Patterson said Deloitte Access Economics had estimated that if the workforce participation rate of older workers was increased by just three per cent, the annual benefit to gross domestic product would be as much as $33 billion.
“Too many people are shut out of work because of underlying assumptions about their age,” Dr Patterson said.
“The cost and impact of this workplace discrimination is too high, for both individuals and our economy.”
She said the training package aimed to change ageist attitudes and assist organisations to realise the benefits of older workers.
“Older workers add value — and now is a very good time to realise that value in your workplace,” Dr Patterson said.
She said a survey undertaken by the AHRC and the Australian Human Resources Institute in 2018 found one in three organisations were reluctant to recruit people over 50.
“Through the new training offered by the Commission, participants gain a deeper awareness of the nature of age discrimination in employment and learn practical ways of working with older works to foster engagement and retention,” Dr Patterson said.
Upholding the Rights of Older Workers is currently available free of charge to private sector employers and employees, NSW Public Service employees, and Local and Federal Government employees located in NSW.
Information about the training course can found on the AHRC website at this PS News link.
