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!!

6 comments

Sunny,

An interesting and informative read.

Well done.

SD

Good to read your story in2sunset and glad you found security and happiness after initial struggle. I was not aware that one is forced to live off any pay out money before qualifying for Centrelink benefits. That means people can't sink redundancy payouts or whatever into their mortgage to buy a little short term security in that regard? I don't know what town you moved to but generally I think unemployment is worse in most country areas than in cities so you have done well to find work so quickly. You were in a predicament and it would have taken courage to take the course of action you did so I'm glad it worked out so well for you and you have managed to keep your house. 

in2sunset,

what a great attitude mate and best post I have had the pleasure of reading for a long time. What you have done is show the whingers and whiners what can be done but some are happy just to sit on their backsides and receive the pension and do not a thing to honour receiving it. Agree the govt should give more incentives for people to make changes and like you although I did not receive incentives, I made changes and am happier for it. My feeling is no one who is able bodied should sit around and do nothing. Have sent your post on to a couple of 75 year old whingers that I know and hope you don't mind.

G'day to you and good luck

I watched a very elderly lady on a walking frame delivering "junk mail" Very Slowly.

I would say she should be enjoying life rather than desperately trying to pay her bills.

I do agree a good read In2sunset.

Assuming again?

Suggest you read the new rules Foxy - trolling is not allowed.

I WASNT AWARE WE HAD NEW RULES,     HAVE I MISSED SOMETHING,    ?  WHERE ARE THEY WRITTEN,   ?

It is a great pity that more people did not have your ""get up and go" attitude in2sunset.

Good on you for doing what you did.

Billy - interesting avatar picture.... Arab or Andalusian???

Hi in2sunset - it's Arab, like your avatar too. Did you manage to see the show Cavalia when it was in Oz?

Do people still actually go to animal circuses? 

Always interesting to hear a range of perspectives on an event such as this, so worth a read if anyone's interested

'Crikey:  Review:  Cavalia/Moore Park, Sydney. - Lloyd Bradford Skye - 20.5.13'  just a snippet follows:

"I don't need to see noble creatures, spirits broken, in an overheated, air-conditioned bigtop, galloping' round, senselessly and repeatedly in dizzying circles.  That doesn't suffice as entertainment, even for horse lovers'.

Apologies in2sunset and like Billy (Oooops, sorry PM( Billy) but geeeez it WAS still only 'Billy' when I last ventured in here early yesterday evening-  Strewth how to keep up with it all!)  We have both gone 'Off Topic' from 'Mature Age Workers' and just responding to the comment above i.e. PM(Billy) - 22.5.15 - 5.24pm...

... agree's totally regarding the horses in those awful shows...what gets me is the constant transporting of these magnificent creatures from country to country and then place to place (on arrival).....  

lol - thought you would find the continuing "multi-personalties" simply fascinating.........   :-)

I agree with all the others who have commended you, in2sunset.  What a wonderful spirit you have and you are a model for many others your age and indeed older.

Shetso1 and Foxy.  Can't fault your comments regarding animal circuses. I believe that the RSPCA condemn them.  The question begs, why can't they prevent these disgusting exhibitions? I read somewhere, that the lions in one circus were generational, all being born at the circus.

I'm not happy about zoos either.

6 comments



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