Caring Works - Discussion Board
This discussion paper, prepared for National Seniors Australia, examines the critical factors affecting mature age Australians’ ability to access paid employment and to remain in employment. Barriers to mature age employment discussed include: aged-based discrimination, barriers arising from the ageing process, skills and training barriers, and policy barriers.
Carers in Action NSW - Biennial Conference 2009
Did you attend the Carers in Action NSW conference 2009? - share your comments or thoughts on our discussion board. Add to the current discussions or start your own thread.
Thankyou for your comments so far.
- A new weekly segment on SBS radio called Homereach - providing practical information for the frail aged, people with a disability, and their carers.
- Federal Government inquiry into better support for Carers
- St George Migrant and Resource centre - Consultation for carers with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds.
We welcome your viewpoint on these resources, and also any new material you think should be brought to the attention of our readers.
The Office of Industrial Relations held its Caring Works Forum on 23rd October during Carers Week. At the forum a DVD and a focus group report were launched providing insight into the lives of those who balance caring and working responsibilities.
In addition, a new webpage was made available providing further resources for employers and workers.
A discussion panel of five addressed the issue of how we can support mature aged workers with caring responsibilities to successfully participate in the work force. The panel members were:
- Bettina Cass, University of NSW
- Isaac Smith, Working Carers Gateway
- Belinda Tkalcevic, Australian Council of Trade Unions
- Mark Goodsell, Australian Industry Group
- Elena Katrakis, Carers NSW
This discussion board aims to continue the dialogue that began at the forum and to provide others with a chance to share comments and experiences.
The Question and Answer session at the forum has given rise to a number of discussion catergories - see left hand column. We welcome comments on these categories. If you feel there is a category missing, please let us know so we can add it to the discussion.
A participant at the Caring Works Forum suggested that carers often go out of their way to reciprocate flexibility when their employer gives consideration to their situation. Is this your experience?
What are your thoughts on the right to request and the duty to consider legislation that was recently introduced in the UK?
Many carers are not comfortable in revealing their caring responsibilities to their employer for many reasons. Should carers be encouraged to come forward in the workplace? If so, how should they be encouraged to do this?
A participant at the Caring Works Forum suggested that training should be developed to ensure that all workers are more aware of the issues involved in managing caring and work. What other initiatives could help?
Clear business benefits may help to demonstrate to employers the value of employing mature aged workers, including those with caring responsibilities. What are the business benefits of employing and retaining mature aged workers and how can they be demonstrated? Here are some case studies - share your own stories below.
A carer at the forum claimed that many assumptions are made about those with caring responsibilities. The carer also stated that many people with caring responsibilities do not always receive support or assistance because they don’t fit the traditional view of a caring role. Do you have any experiences where assumptions have been made about you?
