'Invisible' in the workforce: seniors cite discrimination

While most Kiwis say they respect senior citizens, a quarter of the elderly feel discriminated against, according to the results of a new survey.

Government agency Office for Seniors released the findings of Attitudes Towards Ageing last month.

Independent researcher Nielsen Ltd surveyed 1609 New Zealanders of all ages about their thoughts on ageing and the contribution of older people.

Around 80 per cent of respondents said they respected older people, but more than one in four people (26 per cent) 75 and over reported feeling discriminated against or poorly treated because of their age. Almost as many seniors (23 per cent) said they felt invisible sometimes.

Just over half of respondents (54 per cent) thought older people were more of an asset to society than a burden.

The workplace was highlighted as a place where seniors experienced discrimination.

Office for Seniors’ acting director Blair McCarthy said he was pleased with the overall results, but believed Kiwi businesses could become more inclusive of seniors.

“There’s a lot of work that’s been done around creating flexible workplaces for families. I think you can do that similarly for older people as well.”

He identified working as being important for older people to maintain social connections.

“Work is where you spend a lot of your life. It’s where you make a lot of your relationships and friends.

“Feeling like you’re doing something important and contributing to society - that’s really important for older people.”

Stephen Timmermans, director of Auckland jewellery store Timmermans, employs 11 staff, five of whom are over 60.

He said older workers brought wisdom from years of experience.

“They often can see a problem before it’s going to happen. They have a certain aspect of caution, which is sometimes needed to make a better decision.”

The family-owned business had hired several pensioners over its 40-year history. Mr Timmermans believed senior citizens were usually very reliable because they often worked for passion, rather than necessity.

“They don’t have to work, generally. They want to work. I think that’s another really important aspect of it, because they’re not doing it for money.

“[They’re] doing it because it’s something that keeps [their] interest.”

National president of Grey Power, Tom O’Connor, said the none of the association’s members had voiced concerns about discrimination in the work force.

He told Te Waha Nui since retiring at 66 after a long career as a journalist, he had often been called upon to advise younger workers.