The Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI) has released its Mature Age Workforce Participation 2012 survey.

 

The survey found that nearly half of participating companies recorded the loss of key areas of knowledge with a departure of an older worker, wile over one-fifth recorded a decrease in competitiveness.

 

The report indicates how much value the industry places on mature age workers, with 83 per cent of participants saying they would like to see steps taken within their organisation to ensure that mature aged workers are retained.

 

According to the survey, just under half of all respondents believe their organisation would support a Government subsidy to ensure the hiring and retention of mature aged workers.

 

The results come only weeks after the Federal Government announced a $1000 incentive to be granted to all companies who hire a mature age worker and retain them for over three months.

 

Despite this, the survey found respondents were generally against the idea of lifting the retirement age as a move to ensure greater participation rates amongst mature aged workers.

 

The survey can be found here