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Expert opinion
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Recently, we asked more than 300 mature employees, “What would influence your decision to work longer.” More than 60 percent said that the opportunity to work the same role but on a more flexible basis would be a reason to stay. In the same vein, over half said that working in a similar role but with reduced hours and less responsibility would see them working beyond the traditional retirement date.
The results of this survey suggest that managers and HR professionals need to build a high level of competency in redesigning roles, applying flexible work arrangements and dealing with the more granular tasks of remuneration and superannuation.
While flexible work opportunities were the clear winner here, respondents showed strong support for an organisation’s alumni program to provide contracting opportunities and the means to contribute knowledge to special projects.
The results also indicate that organisations need to actively support late career employees in their decisions about work and retirement. The mindset shift required by employees and employers alike won’t happen left to chance.
Catriona Byrne MA (Media, Technology & Law), B Ed, ABC
Catriona is the lead practitioner for developing successful ways to manage the risk of knowledge loss as people retire. With a strong foundation in HR and communication management within the telecommunication, event and financial services industry sectors, Catriona intuitively understands organisational culture and how to embed age management solutions into existing practices. She is an examiner for the International Association of Business Communication, an accredited Cognitive Edge practitioner, a frequent conference chair and presenter and a CEDA trustee in South Australia.
Catriona is a virtual worker and is mostly found in Adelaide or at airports!
Links: About Catriona Byrne http://sageco.com.au/about_directors.php SageCo blog: http://talk.sageco.com.au/