Valuing Experience
Smart organisations are redesigning work to retain older workers, according to a new guide for New Zealand employers wanting to recruit and retain mature employees. 
The guide, Valuing Experience: a practical guide to recruiting and retaining older workers, provides information both on older worker’s rights and responsibilities and tips for employers. The new resource was produced by a group comprising the Human Rights Commission, the Retirement Commission, the EEO Trust, Business New Zealand, the CTU and the Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce.
Download:
- Valuing Experience (full report - PDF)
- 12 tips for employing older workers (poster - PDF)
- 10 top points from Valuing Experience (poster - PDF)
Read the media release by Hon Ruth Dyson, Minister for Social Development and Employment
Read Valuing Experience: a practical guide to recruiting and retaining older workers
Table of Contents
What they say
Part A: Overview
Who are our older workers?
What proportion of the workforce are older workers?
Why are people working longer?
Characteristics of older workers
Should we call them 'older workers'?
Why are employers increasingly thinking about this issue?
How old should your workforce be?
Key principles for effectively recruiting and retaining older employees
Part B: Deliberately positioning your organisation to employ older workers effectively
Identifying what you want to achieve
Understanding what the specific issues are for your organisation
Getting leadership commitment
Working in partnership with your employees and/or their union to explore the issues
Developing a practical response
Implementing that response
Checking the results
Part C: Key dimensions of recruiting and retaining older workers
Recruitment and selection
Designing work for older workers
Structuring jobs for older workers
Effective supervisors and managers
Managing performance
Training and development
Motivation and rewards
Health and wellness
Conclusion
Appendices
Download a PDF copy of Valuing Experience: a practical guide to recruiting and retaining older workers