INTHEBLACK May 2022 - Magazine - Page 51
E V E N AS T H E WA R F O R TA L E N T
E S C A L AT E S , C O M P O U N D E D B Y
BORDER CLOSURES AND THE
I M PA C T O F T H E PA N D E M I C , A N
ENTIRE COHORT OF JOB SEEKERS
IS BEING OVERLOOKED, DESPITE
G R E AT P O T E N T I A L T O B R I N G A
W E A LT H O F E X P E R I E N C E A N D
S K I L L S T O T H E M A R K E T.
STORY MEGAN BREEN
AGEISM
IN THE
WORKPLACE
A
s employers struggle to fill positions,
mature-aged job seekers are in a prime
position to fill the gap, yet they are
often subjected to outdated stereotypes
portraying them as slow to learn new skills, unable to
fit into workplace culture, or unable to keep up with
the latest technological advances. Dispelling myths
relating to mature-aged workers is proving to be
challenging, particularly when it comes to the belief
that older people in general are not digitally savvy.
Despite the fact that someone in their 50s or 60s
has likely been working with computers for most
of their career, owns a smartphone and functions
quite successfully in the digital world, there is a
reluctance to believe that older workers would be
able to pick up the latest new software program or
platform required to do their job well and keep up
with younger colleagues.
COUNTING THE COST
According to the World Health Organization, the
cost of overlooking older workers is enormous. In
Australia alone, it is estimated that, if 5 per cent
more people aged 55 or older were employed, the
national economy would benefit by as much as
A$48 billion annually.
CLICK HERE
TO READ
an INTHEBLACK
article on five
generations in the
workplace
intheblack.cpaaustralia.com.au May 2022 51