The Caring Works Forum marked the completion of an 18 month research project conducted by the NSW Office of Industrial Relations focusing on the specific issues involved in helping mature aged workers with caring responsibilities remain active in the workforce.
The project stems from the NSW Carers Action Plan, a five year whole of government strategy outlining the NSW Government’s commitment to carers.
As part of the Project, the Office of Industrial Relations has produced a focus group report called Bringing out the Best, and a DVD called Caring Works. Bringing out the Best is a qualitative focus-group study looking into the successes and challenges faced by mature-aged women aged 45 and over in combining caring commitments and work in NSW. The Caring Works DVD features two workplaces that have found success in employing mature aged workers with caring responsibilities.
Looking to the future, the Office of Industrial Relations hopes to use this research and the tools it has developed, to raise awareness about the business imperative for employing mature age workers with caring responsibilities.