Older Workers At Risk of Withdrawing from the Labour Force or Becoming Unemployed: Employers' views on how to retain and attract older workers

Conclusion

The National Seniors Council’s 2012 consultations sought the views of employers and professional network leaders on how to retain and attract older workers, particularly those most at risk of withdrawing from the labour force or becoming unemployed.

Although the Council found that at-risk older workers were not a key workforce population that employers were currently focusing on, we believe these consultations helped to open a dialogue with employers about these sub-groups of mature workers and begin addressing how best to support their active participation in the workforce. These consultations also provided valuable insights into the challenges facing employers in recruiting and retaining older workers in general and the measures that could be taken to help address these obstacles.

The National Seniors Council recognizes that the participation of all older workers who wish to remain in the labour force is beneficial not only to the older workers themselves, but also to Canadian society and the national economy as a whole.

The Council believes the suggested actions outlined in this report would build on the significant work the federal government is already doing to support older workers and help further assist all older workers, including those at risk of withdrawing or becoming unemployed, to stay in the labour force for as long as they wish to do so.