I'm Officially Old according to Government sources ...

The aged worker is becoming increasingly the subject of more political attention - why, I guess because we vote!

Unlike in the US, voting is actually compulsory here in Australia (yes really!), if you don't vote, you are fined $55 (that includes $5 for GST).  I know many of my American friends and business associates I used to deal with thought this law was akin to communism, but that's maybe for another day on another blog...

So, there is discussion now about an incentive to pay employers to hire older workers (in the last election, the Opposition priced this at $3250).

My question is would it work?  Financial incentives / disincentives are usually an excellent way to stimulate behaviour, but are we in for unintended consequences of a well intentioned tax incentive, or could it be manna from heaven for those of us who may not otherwise be considered?

A vexed question for me - in my mind, it makes it abundantly clear now that I'm OLD - the Government says so!!  But I wonder if that will necessarily implant the idea even further into the minds of potential hiring managers that they may not want to go down this path.

Sure ~$3k is nothing to sneeze at, but what of compliance, reporting and waiting the 6 months before you get your hands on the cash?  I'm more concerned about the message that it potentially sends out to the market - that we need special assistance, that we are now part of the "special needs" minorities that need extra attention.

Am I over reacting - I don't know - tell me what you think - because, in my heart, I'd much more prefer that I be selected on merit and competance than on the basis of a Government handout.  Age should never come into - ability should be the primary factor.

While a very strong supporter of well intentioned Equal Employment legislation both here and abroad, women still get the rough end of the pineapple because they are women, and the law hasn't necessarily changed that - individuals make the difference, and individuals have to make the choice.

Soooo, to sign off my blog today, let's start with the first step - all you hiring managers out there, try to clear the scitoma that says "that person is too old", and start opening your mind, one person at a time.

That's a start .... and I'm a great believer in starts!!

Have a great day.
Dom