Age Discrimination – Ageing well, a longer life journey and brilliant careers

Thursday 16 June 12.00-2:15pm at RMIT and virtual

Book on Eventbrite or call Adrian on 0408-750-200 or email info@eeon.org.au

Many organisations across Australia now see Diversity and Inclusion as a business imperative that contributes to productive and happy workplaces. With greater diversity (including older workers) and inclusive practices; job satisfaction, job engagement, career development opportunities and retention improve.

However, we should ask, what has really changed since the Australian Human Rights Commission’s Willing to Work Report, the National Inquiry into Employment Discrimination Against Older Australians and Australians with Disability (2016). Older workers falling victim to ‘grey ceiling’ discrimination (Martin) or younger workers not being able to secure their first job. According to The New Work Reality report, 60 per cent of 25 year-olds enter the workforce with a degree. Despite this, 35 per cent are unemployed and underemployed because they are told that they do not enough work experience, lack an appropriate education of have poor career management skills.

n the last few years organisations have invested heavily in diversity, equity and inclusion strategies, including gender equity. Have the same efforts been made to address age discrimination? This forum will explore some of personal impacts (including invisibility) and impact on the economy of age discrimination, some latest thinking and practice that will get you to view our life journey differently, and practical strategies to make your workplace age ready and more inclusive.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Network would like to warmly invite to our third forum for the year which explores the theme on Age Discrimination in employment.  We will be hearing from four expert speakers with a range of experiences in this area and in addition we will provide time for you to reflect and share in line with our Learn, Think, Do philosophy.

Our forum flow

Our Aboriginal ancestors offer the wisdom passed down over thousands of years. Pause, deeply listen and be inspired by the wisdom of one Aboriginal Elder, Aunty Janet Turpie-Johnstone on a different perspective and then reflect on what we might learn from Aboriginal Eldership.

Ageing in the context of the pandemic and a world where digital literacy is the future leaves older people feeling isolated and left behind. The Commissioner for Senior Victorians Gerard Mansour highlights impacts post Covid, age discrimination in employment and elder abuse in the context of his Ageing well in a changing world report, launched in late 2020.

Professor Philip Taylor from Federation University shares research insights over the course of a 30-year career into the nature and extent of age discrimination in the Australian labour market and strategies for addressing age discrimination in the workplace and wider society.

A longer life journey and a career that extends into our mature years requires policies that reflect a contemporary world, one where we embrace the strengths of diversity and a culture of inclusion. Commissioner Deputy Chief Executive from COTA Australia, Corey Irlam shares policy priorities presented to government, best practice behaviour and practical ideas for inclusion and overcoming age discrimination.

At EEON we believe you create change by learning, reflecting and then doing. Our vision is to help Australia’s workplaces become more diverse, equitable and inclusive.