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Retirees are re-entering the workforce to fill a desperate need for talent.
Research by National Seniors Australia reveals 16 per cent of age pensioners have returned to paid work since retiring, while another 20 per cent are considering it.
Money is the main motivator, although retirees also attribute their decision to wanting to stay active, contribute to society, socialise and have fun.
Sullivan Consulting managing director Andrew Sullivan says employers are keen to re-engage retirees wherever possible.
“Employers want people that are experienced and have the skills and that’s what retirees can offer,” he says.
Embrace technology
The biggest fear for employers hiring older Australians is whether they have the digital skills necessary to do the job, says Sullivan. “There’s a lot (of older people) who are used to picking up pens and writing on paper but the retirees successful in finding (employment) offers are the ones who have done further training (to increase their tech skills),” he says.
“Make sure you understand social media platforms and also new technology, like (accounting software) MYOB and Xero if you’re an accountant.”
In most cases, a short course, including those offered through community and adult learning centres, is enough to satisfy employer requirements, he says.
Consider a career pivot
With “more choice of jobs than there ever has been”, retirees should not feel trapped into applying for roles that are similar to their last paid employment, Sullivan says.
“It’s such a great time for retirees to re-enter the workforce – they can pick and choose what they want to do and pick and choose the hours they want to work,” he says.
He says industries that service the retiree-age group particularly value older workers, as do companies that require workers to give advice, including some retail outlets.
“Bunnings is a prime example of the benefits of having older workers,” Sullivan says. “I definitely feel more comfortable as a consumer going to a more senior person to find out how to (do a home handyman job) than a younger person.”
He says older people are also employed as traffic controllers, within the finance sector and in industries that deal with bereavement.
“Cemeteries are hiring more mature people because the product they are selling – grave sites – is something where they need someone who can show empathy and have a level of maturity about them,” he says.
Check your earning capacity
Before returning to paid work, age pensioners should determine how much they can earn without affecting their welfare benefits.
National Seniors, which is campaigning to exempt employment income from the age pension means test, says pensioners who now work more than one day a week are effectively taxed 50 cents in the dollar.
“Our cause is clear and simple,” says National Seniors chief executive Professor John McCallum. “The nation is crying out for workers in so many industries. Allowing pensioners to work would help these industries, the pensioners and the Australian economy.”
Sold on hair salon return
It was a simple “Staff Wanted’’ sign in her local hair salon that prompted retiree Leanne Byrd to go back to work.
The qualified hairdresser sold her own salon more than 20 years ago to raise her family but when she was told she could work whatever hours she wanted at Rouse Hill Price Attack, it was an offer too good to refuse.
“I wanted to work casually; I was upfront about that from the beginning,’’ she says.
“I am at that stage of life where I don’t want to be working weekends as, even though my children are all grown up, that’s our family time.
“However, every now and then, if someone calls in sick, I will help out filling the spot because it’s such a great team and place to work.’’
After such a long break from hairdressing, Byrd is now more comfortable selling hair products so has taken a role within the retail side of the business.
“Before I got this job, I thought no one would employ me because of my age (but) I now believe there is no ageism out there,it was just my insecurities,’’ she says. “I am probably working more hours than I thought I would but I love it.’’
Price Attack chief executive John Pascoe says there had been a decade-long shortage of qualified hairdressers and the sector was keen to utilise the talents of those wanting to return to the sector.