Mature Workers
As the Northern Territory’s population ages and employers face a skills shortage, the Northern Territory Government recognises the important role of employees of all ages including mature age employees.
The Northern Territory Public Sector defines mature age employees as employed people over 45 years of age. This group of employees generally have the skills and experience gained through many years in the workforce.
The Australian Human Rights Commission has complied some myths and facts about mature age workers:
MYTH 1: Mature age workers will cost the business more for their experience.
FACT: Mature age employees can save costs to employers through increased rates of retention.
FACT: There is a strategic business advantage of having employees who reflect the diversity of the customer base as the Australian population ages.
MYTH 2: Mature age workers may be prone to health problems.
FACT: Australians are living longer and are healthier.
FACT: Australia’s ageing population means business will need to invest in mature age employees.
FACT: Experience is a better indicator of productivity than age.
FACT: Older people are the fastest growing users of technology.
The Northern Territory Public Sector defines mature age employees as employed people over 45 years of age. This group of employees generally have the skills and experience gained through many years in the workforce.
The Australian Human Rights Commission has complied some myths and facts about mature age workers:
MYTH 1: Mature age workers will cost the business more for their experience.
FACT: Mature age employees can save costs to employers through increased rates of retention.
- Workers aged over 55 are five times less likely to change jobs compared with workers aged 20-24, reducing ongoing recruitment and training costs.
FACT: There is a strategic business advantage of having employees who reflect the diversity of the customer base as the Australian population ages.
MYTH 2: Mature age workers may be prone to health problems.
FACT: Australians are living longer and are healthier.
- Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reports show that the current life expectancy is 78 years for men and 83 years for women – a two and three year increase respectively since 1994.
- A 2005 ABS survey found the proportion of Australians aged 55-64 reporting their health as ‘good’, ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’ was 75.5% – an increase of four per cent since 1995.
- A 2006 ABS survey found that mature age workers were the least likely group to take days off due to their own illness or as a carer. In the two week period prior to the survey nearly half the number of mature age workers had days off compared to workers aged 25-34.
- ABS data indicates that mature age workers are less likely to experience work-related injuries compared to younger workers.
FACT: Australia’s ageing population means business will need to invest in mature age employees.
- Based on current trends the working age population will grow by just 125,000 for the entire decade from 2020 to 2029 – less than a tenth of current pace.
- Research of the Organisation for Economic Coperation Development (OECD) countries shows that those countries that provide a higher level of training to older workers have workers leaving the labour market at an older age.
FACT: Experience is a better indicator of productivity than age.
- A study of OECD nations concluded that verbal skills, communication and intelligence remain unchanged as a person ages.
FACT: Older people are the fastest growing users of technology.
- ABS data shows that Australians aged 55-64 are the fastest growing users of information technology.
- International studies indicate that appropriate training provided in a supportive environment can greatly assist older workers to learn new technology systems.
- A survey of employers showed they were more likely to recruit someone with direct experience in the industry but with limited computing skills compared to a person who is good with computers but has no industry experience.