Are older workers getting a fair go, finally?

Discrimination against older workers is decreasing, according to new research by the Financial Services Council.

Just 18% of employees aged 50-75 said they were ­discriminated against on the basis of their age, compared to 28% surveyed two years ago.

Age Discrimination Commissioner Susan Ryan and others have argued that discrimination keeps many older people out of the workforce who would like to be there.

Ryan has written before to the FiftyUp Club about what needs to happen to help older workers remain in the workforce.

FSC chief executive John Brogden (pictured) now says Australia is “turning the corner”, comparing the trend to the one a generation ago when women began returning to work after having children.

“The great thing about this research is that attitudes are changing,” he said. “We’re never going to legislate to force people to employ older workers; this is going to be an attitudinal change on the part of employers and employees.”

What do you think? Are attitudes changing? How would you fight discrimination against older Australians who want to work? Click here to have your say.

KEY FINDINGS OF THE FSC SURVEY:

(Source: Australian Financial Review)

• 18 per cent of older workers feel they have experienced discrimination based on age.

• 67 per cent of older workers have been offered training or upskilling by their employers.

• 41 per cent of older workers believe they should be paid more than younger employees based on their skills and knowledge, 43 per cent said they should be paid about the same.

• 57 per cent of older managers said they should be paid more.

• 66 per cent of older workers want to keep working regardless of their financial situation.

• 39 per cent of older workers want more flexibility in hours and remuneration.

• 54-64-year-olds are far less satisfied that they have enough for retirement compared with those over 65.