Biography
Geoff is the Managing Director Partners in Change a Trans-Tasman organisational and workforce development consultancy that specialises in the field of age and work. With a background in the social services, government and tertiary education Geoff is regarded as an innovator and thought leader. Using his Mature Aged Workforce Strategy Builder framework he has worked with over 80 organisations to develop action plans and to implement practical strategies. In mid 2016 he published his first book, Doing it Differently – life and work after 50. He is also the founder of Senior Entrepreneurs New Zealand.
Pearman, G
Paper
What Mature Aged Employees Are Looking For in The Workplace – a Trans-Tasman comparison
Increasing numbers of mature aged workers are staying on in work. This is from choice, through necessity and for some a fear of moving to the next stage in their lives.
In New Zealand currently over 25% of people aged 65 and over are still working. In Australia it is 13%.What is it that those staying on at work are looking for in the workplace?
Over the past 5 years Partners in Change have used the Workplace Preference Questionnaire to survey people aged 50 and over in workshops and focus groups on what they are looking for from the workplace. With a database of over 800 responses we are now getting some excellent data from both countries and different sectors which highlights similarities and differences from both countries.
In this presentation the results of the research will be reported against the backdrop of contrasting policy settings and divergent “retirement” narratives. This comparison will illustrate how different “retirement” narratives and pension systems, one means tested and complex, the other universal and simple impact in terms of what concerns people as they age at work.
