Mature Age Workers
Much has been said about people needing to work longer, something Joe Hockey speaks much about but knows little about. Yes, I agree, BUT there is a huge difference between someone over the age of 50 (or 60) STAYING in a job, and GETTING a job.
I am a single woman aged 62, and after a recent contract finished, could not get a job. I live in a major coastline city, and after applying for over 200 jobs, and 42 interviews, could not even get a job as a cleaner or at a supermarket. I had a mortgage, and the small amount of paid out annual leave made me ineligable for any Centrelink payment. Quite simply, by the time I would have been eligable for Centrelink benefits, I would have lost my house. I was even applying for jobs which meant a drive of 2 hours each way - all to no avail. As I was close to falling into the chasm of depression and not caring, I decided to look outside the square and make some big changes.
I packed up my house that I loved, and moved to a remote country town to share a place with a friend. I rented out my house, and within 3 weeks had found a temp job. I became involved in some community activities, and this led to meeting people, and 'networking'. I am currently in the midst of a temp job which I absolutely love, and this week alone I have had 3 firm job offers - now have the luxury of making a choice! I have chosen a Govt job, that pays WAY more than any job I had in the city, or could have got in the city.
What does really annoy me is that the rent from my house is taxable - in order to encourage more mature workers to make this move, this should be offset against the rental costs of where you move. The costs of moving were not cheap, but I do not regret it in an instant! Yes, while some things are a little dearer, and the choice of facilities is not as great (cinemas, shopping, etc) - I can now cycle to work, I fill up the car with petrol every 3 weeks, and only have to deal with ONE set of traffic lights. And on top of that - I really love it here.
I realise this is not for everyone, but again, instead of punishing people, if the Govt offered a reward for people to move to remote areas to take up jobs, it would help BOTH ways. It wasn't easy, or cheap, and being a single lady with no family, it was tiring and exhausting, but really well worth it. I did research the area before hand - had airport, hospital, services a large work area, etc - and this isn't a permanent 'for life' move, but I do plan to stay here for at least 6, hopefully 10, years. I am currently sharing a place with a friend, but I will be taking over her lease when she moves out in 3 months time.
I don't regret the move, and am glad I did it. I wanted to work, was determined to find a way, but the Govt didn't do a damn thing to assist or help. Not only do senior workers have the Govt hindering us, but employers have to change their attitudes - well, large city based employers do. From what I have found, remote areas welcome senior workers with open arms - they bring experience, maturity and reliability to a job. One job I have been offered was from a guy who said he would never hire a young mother again - she seemed to spend more time out of the office running around at schools, creches, day care, wanting time off when kids were sick, on holidays, etc. He was adamant that he only wanted a settled, mature age worker who WANTED a job. He was bitterly disappointed when I declined his offer, but said he would wait for the right mature aged worker.
The $10,000 incentive for employers to take on senior workers is a waste of time - it is SO restrictive, it is useless. For a start, you have to be on Centrelink benefits for a minimum of 6 months - ridiculous. I tried to register with Max employment - they couldn't help me because I wasn't on Govt benefits. And my absolute pet hate are employment Agencies - the number of times I was told (on initial phone call) - 'you are exactly what the client is looking for'. However, after meeting with them, this changed to 'sorry, you are not what the company is looking for'. My resume, references and experience were the same - the only thing they saw was my age. It should be available to ANY employer who TAKES on a senior age worker (restrictions of course... must stay with that employer for a minimum period, employer can't churn applicants, etc).
There is a HUGE difference for a senior age worker, between STAYING in a job you have held for years, and GETTING a job. I have met many smug senior workers saying how easy it is to have jobs when they are older - but they have held their job for 20/30 years, and have just stayed in the job. I can almost guarantee that if they lost their job, and had to apply for a job (even their old job) - their thinking would be different.
It will take me a few months to recoup the costs of the move, but it was worth it. I am SO much happier, more relaxed, love the town, the people, and the lifestyle. Don't regret it for a second!!
Sunny,
An interesting and informative read.
Well done.
SD