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Ageing workforce may not be as bad as we think

Author
Newstalk ZB Staff ,
Publish Date
Sat, 30 Jun 2018, 6:37AM
(Photo/ Getty)
(Photo/ Getty)

Ageing workforce may not be as bad as we think

Author
Newstalk ZB Staff ,
Publish Date
Sat, 30 Jun 2018, 6:37AM

The Retirement Commissioner says employers should view the aging workforce as an opportunity rather than a crisis.

The Government has launched a discussion document for a National Strategy on the Ageing Workforce and the development of a toolkit for employers and workers

Diane Maxwell says there's a need to do some myth busting on what older workers bring to the workforce.

"We have thousands and thousands of people write to us and say, yeah I think I'm facing discrimination. I've sent of my CV a hundred times and the minute they hear my age I never hear back. And the problem with that is that people lose confidence, as anyone would no matter how old you are."

Maxwell says New Zealand’s ageing workforce is part of a global trend that should be faced as an opportunity rather than a crisis.

"We need to do some myth busting on what older workers bring to the workforce. We also need to challenge employers on how they are viewing CVs and how they are viewing older workers when they apply for jobs."

Gray Power says Government and businesses should be making allowances for older people wishing to work longer.

President Mac Welch says the general health and fitness of the population at age 65 is probably far better than it was 20 years ago due to medical advances and life style change.

"In recent years, your 65, goodbye, go away. It's crazy, your using a wealth of experience, knowledge, expertise, it's just walking out the door. It's madness, no well run company should operate like that."

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