COMPLAINTS to the workplace watchdog have leapt in the past year, with employees worried about age discrimination the fastest-growing problem.   :-?

A 46 per cent rise in discrimination complaints was recorded by the Fair Work Ombudsman last year - up from 801 to 1171. Complaints about age discrimination made up 13 per cent of all complaints - the second largest group.

People with physical or mental disabilities made up the largest group, or 20 per cent.


But age discrimination complaints went up the most in the past year, the category recording a 6 per cent increase.

''It might be someone suggesting early retirement or not offering an older person training in new technology because they think they're too old,'' the Age Discrimination Commissioner, Susan Ryan, said. The Human Rights Commission has reported an increase in queries from older staff. There has been a 65 per cent rise in inquiries about age discrimination this year and a 44 per cent increase in formal complaints.

Ms Ryan said research showed only a small number of people who experienced workplace discrimination were prepared to make complaints.

''Most people would say they don't want to make a fuss because I can find another job but that's not necessarily the case for older workers,'' she said.

The Fair Work Ombudsman, Nicholas Wilson, said people were responding to campaigns about discrimination.

The federal government is investigating ways to keep people working for longer.   :(

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/national/age-bias-complaints-at-work-on-the-rise-20111119-1noep.html#ixzz1eBkml8Ij

Hands up all those that want to work till they are 67, and all the employers that will be willing to keep them on.   :(

wrote on Nov 20^th, 2011 at 7:27am:

Hands up all those that want to work till they are 67, and all the employers that will be willing to keep them on.   :(

Hand up all those people who are 45 years old and want to work, and all the employers who say they are too old to be put on.

Age discrimination is alive and well in Australia.

There are some very skilled people who can't even get labouring jobs because of their age.

The cry for skilled workers is but a ploy to up the immigration to make a BIG Australia, nothing more!

I think you are right pansi, there is a lot of age discrimination.  In any case, expecting people to work till they are 67, seems ridiculous to me.   :(

wrote on Nov 20^th, 2011 at 8:11am:

I think you are right pansi, there is a lot of age discrimination.  In any case, expecting people to work till they are 67, seems ridiculous to me.   :(

There's not enough work for a start, and there's about to be a lot less.

Of course there is not enough work.  What does that say about governments that say, we have plenty of jobs and low unemployment?.  Then on the other hand, say they want older people to stay in work longer.  A work till you drop mentality.  Somehow it seems like smoke screens and mirrors does it not?.   :(