New Governement Plan to Help Mature Aged Workers and Carers

Peak senior’s organisation COTA Australia has responded positively to the Federal Government’s plan to increase flexibility in the workplace for mature age workers, employees with a disability and workers who care for parents. Under the new plan employees who fall under the above categories will have a right to request flexible working arrangements; however COTA Australia’s Chief Executive Ian Yates expressed concern that employers would still be able to refuse requests.

“We are disappointed that under the announced legislation, employers will still be able to refuse requests and that employees will have nowhere to go to get that decision reviewed” he said.

He said that COTA would be monitoring whether older workers and carers were getting access to the new provisions.

“COTA calls on employers to make the new arrangement work not only because they are legislated but because they make good business sense” he added.

“Given the Australian population is ageing, flexible work will become more and more important as we recognise the essential contribution of older people to the workforce and rely on their experience and skills” he said.