A SURVEY has revealed that discrimination against older people is widespread in Australian workplaces, and a Kiama resident believes the government and employers need a change in attitude.
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A national survey revealed more than a quarter of people over 50 have experienced age bias over the past two years.
Conducted by the Australian Human Rights Commission, it shows about a third of people who experienced age discrimination gave up looking for work as a result.
Almost half began to think about retirement or accessing their superannuation.
The survey follows a federal government push to make the pension system more sustainable.
Kiama resident Noel Sharman, 62, said if the federal government wanted Australians to work until the age of 70, then not only the government but employers needed a change of attitude.
His resume includes employment in banking, IT and taxi driving.
He lived in England for more than 30 years before returning to Australia in 2009.
Mr Sharman is currently employed delivering parcels on a sub-contract basis for Australia Post, a role he has had for nearly five years.
"Since 2009, I've probably applied for 400 jobs minimum, but out of that I think I've managed to get three interviews," he said.
"My resume is actually quite strong, my skillset is quite good ... So the only thing I can put it down to is a bit of age discrimination going on," he said.
"I just think given the latest governmental figures and the projections over the next few years, the government's basically saying, anyone that's willing we want you to stay and work until 70.
"Well, that's fine, but where are the jobs going to come from?"
Age and Disability Discrimination Commissioner Susan Ryan visited Wollongong last Tuesday to address community and business leaders at an IRT Foundation lunch.
Illawarra business leaders met to discuss challenges faced by older people looking for work, and age discrimination in the workplace.
Ms Ryan hoped the result would be a change of attitude towards employing people aged above 50.
"We're saying, 'what is stopping you from hiring these people when they're qualified, what is it that has to change for you to just become an employer of the best candidate'," she said.
Ms Ryan believed recruitment agencies needed to be targeted in this campaign as well, saying sometimes they "try to find the most easily placed candidates, instead of perhaps the best skilled" to get commission.
"I'm starting a national inquiry now into employment discrimination against older people ... I've said to employers, 'why do you only take [younger people]' and they say 'oh that's all [recruitment agencies] send us'.
"They are the client, they should say 'I want the best person for the job'."
Have you experienced age discrimination at work? contact us at kinews@fairfaxmedia.com.au