Strengths of mature workers

I RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING COMMENTS TO MY LETTER.

COMMENT 1:

I agree with your views on the strengths of mature workers. Employers need to recognise these strengths and make use of them.

Some older workers have the skills, experience and patience to work in the sectors that require god customer-service orientations. Many are probably more suitable in backend work not involving direct customer service.

I think older workers are looking for reasonably paid jobs that recognise their strengths and allow them to contribute to the work or organisation.

COMMENT 2.

Studies world wide have shown that older workers are reliable, more mature and better at managing relationship related situations, and have much lower absent rates compared to younger workers.

One issue facing older workers is ageism, where employers feel that older workers have little relevant strengths, believing erroneously that older workers cannot learn new skills, have poor attitude, and are expensive because of high medical expenditure, etc.

I hope that .... can work with employers to identify concrete job opportunities, affordable work adaptation practices as well as ageist prejudices that can be addressed. The .... contribution in this instance will be invaluable!