Employment

Question 34. In what ways, if any, can the practices of private recruitment agencies be regulated to remove barriers to mature age employees entering or re-entering the workforce?

Question 35. Should s 65 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) be amended to include age as a basis upon which an employee may request flexible working arrangements?

Question 36. In practice, do mature age employees negotiate individual flexibility arrangements made under s 202 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth)? Are such arrangements a useful and appropriate flexibility mechanism for mature age employees?

Question 37. In practice, how effective are the general protections provisions under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) where a mature age employee, or prospective employee, has been discriminated against on the basis of age?

Question 38. How does the operation of the modern award system affect mature age employees and in what ways, if any, can modern awards be utilised or amended to account for the needs of mature age employees?

Question 39. A number of compulsory retirement ages and licensing or re-qualification requirements exist in particular industries and professions. In what ways, if any, do these create barriers to mature age participation in the workforce or other productive work? If they do create barriers, should they be changed or are they appropriate?

Question 40. In what ways, if any, can strategic plans developed under the Australian Work Health and Safety Strategy 2012–2022 take account of occupational health and safety issues of particular relevance to mature age workers?

Question 41. Where is it best to include information about occupational health and safety issues relevant to mature age workers?

Question 42. In what ways, if any, do occupational health and safety duties and responsibilities act as a barrier to volunteering for mature age persons?

Question 43. What measures involving regulation and monitoring, if any, should be introduced to ensure:

(a) employers are responsive to the needs of mature age employees; and

(b) mature age employees are actively involved in developing and implementing such measures?

Question 44. What are some examples of employment management best practice aimed at attracting or retaining mature age employees?

Question 45. What are the most effective ways of raising awareness and providing education and training to remove barriers to mature age participation in the workforce and other productive work?

Question 46. What other changes, if any, should be made to the employment law framework to remove barriers to mature age participation in the workforce or other productive work?