Positive stories

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I recently asked for positive stories from mature workers. I received some great emails and would urge you to read them in the "Your Say" section of "Kate's Blog" on the CareerOne website.

I loved Ernest Zimmer's message: "I employ many mature-aged workers and they are all amazing - our oldest worker is 75. We never have problems with our mature aged workers. Everyone should give them a go."  I was also intrigued by an email from "MS", 53.

No less than three different employers who knocked MS back for a job invited her to instead join management committees. Each explained the work was voluntary and the motivation to tap into her "impressive" skills and experience.

In one role MS was overseeing the performance of the person who got the job instead of her. In the course of "quite a long time I have worked my way into a small amount of paid contract work," wrote MS. "[It] has given me the chance to shine again, and restore some of my lost confidence. Clearly many organisations do want and do value the skills and experience that older workers have in spades, but they are not prepared to hire them. 

Perhaps they assume, erroneously, that older workers must have spare time on their hands and would make excellent volunteers."  Wow. The thing that bugs me though is that if MS was a management consultant aged early thirties to early 40s, she would probably be earning a fantastic hourly rate. I don't want to discourage employers from drawing on wisdom and  experience but it should be rewarded.

By Kate Southam, Editor of careerone.com.au

Visit CareerOne and read the Blog with posts from "Ask Kate" and other job seekers - www.careerone.com.au and click on Kate's Blog on the home page.