To a driving upbeat
soundtrack, the short promotional video showed images of people enjoying the
outdoor lifestyle and amenities of the vibrant city of Brisbane and its
surrounding countryside. At the beach, on the bay, dining in
sophisticated restaurants and on-trend cafes. A city which is
reaching out to promote itself in China, Europe and the USA as the newest
“world city” represented itself as all about people and families. What
was not shown? Not one person in the video appeared to be over the age of
40!
It’s a funny
sensation (and not in a good way) when you watch and listen to a video
presentation of the lives of people in your city and community and you are not
there. You are not airbrushed or in the background somewhere, no, you are
entirely absent!
Ageism in Australia is endemic and pervasive. The keen
observer will notice that ageism seems to be more evident in Australia than in other
countries such as the USA, U.K., China and many European countries.
It is certainly true that older Australians (particularly
anyone over the age of 50) finds it extremely difficult to get a job. Age
discrimination in employment is widespread, deep and almost intractable.
 |
| Age discriminationt keeps many talented older Australians out of work. |
In the ‘Weekend Australian’ on March 229-30, an article with the headline “Plan for over-55s to work for dole” supported its
message with one man’s story. His name is Christopher Chapman; he is
64. Five years ago he was retrenched from a Sydney law firm. Despite all his experience in the law, for five long years,
Christopher has not been able to get a new position. He has
found the labour market practices “cruel and discriminatory.” He has been
living on the pitifully-low Newstart allowance. How humiliating for
him; how unjust, wasteful and short-sighted that employers and recruiters have rejected
this man’s candidacy over and over again.
Is age
discrimination really endemic in all sectors and organisations across the
Australian economy and geography? Yes it is! But it is hidden from
open view. In any overt manner it is difficult to get the direct evidence
to be able to prove that you have been discriminated against because you in an
older age group. However, there are a few employers who have been pathfinders
for not discriminating against people on the basis of age or for that matter on
the basis of disability and other factors. A stand-out example is Wesfarmers Limited, in particular
their Bunnings hardware stores. This iconic Australian business
has lived its diversity inclusion employment policies. Bunnings got them in place early without
being forced to do so. Hiring older workers has proven to be smart
business strategy on many levels for them. The Bunnings' internal culture
is like an extended family with the young, middle and older employees all
helping each other and being part of a positive team culture.
It has ever been the case that young people want (and need) to step up and take over from older incumbents in all areas of government and public institutions, the economy and society. This generational succession is the way it should be. However, it should not mean older people are locked out of getting paid employment.
Our Australian
Government wants and needs older Australians to work longer because we are
living a lot longer. The age for qualification for the age pension has
increased and will likely increase again soon. We cannot, on the one
hand, say to older Australians “you must keep working after age 65 if you can’t
be self-supporting” without them having a hope of being employed because they
keep crashing into the barrier of age discrimination.
The voice of older Australians needs to be clearer and louder to get the attention of State and
Federal governments, in commence and industry and throughout all of society’s
institutions. We must insist on being seen, being heard, being valued …
and being employed!
Have you experienced age discrimination? Or are you close to someone who has experienced it?
How do you want your voice to be heard?
Lynne Lloyd
Managing Director
Telephone 1300 167 981
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