Experienced workers have a lower incidence of absenteeism¹, are more flexible than their younger counterparts and are often more productive. However, some managers still miss out on potentially valuable employees because of common misconceptions about the value of mature age workers in the workplace.

Here are some myths about mature age workers that simply do not match with the facts:

• Mature age workers do not know much about current technology and are too old to learn how to use computers and the internet.
• Overqualified workers will only stay in a position until they find something more suited to their level of skills and experience.
• Once a worker reaches 65 they have to retire.
• Mature age workers experience a decline in cognitive ability as they age.
• Mature age workers are less productive than younger workers.
• Mature age workers want to take over your job.

MYTH: Mature age workers do not know much about current technology and are too old to learn how to use computers and the internet.

REALITY: Compared with other groups in the population, mature age workers have one of the highest pick-up rates when it comes to technology and they are also very keen to learn. According to an International Demographics survey [read article ] the 45+ age group accounted for 39.1% of the total adult population using the internet with approximately 60% of people aged 50-64 regularly making use of the internet in 2004.

MYTH: Overqualified workers will only stay in a position until they find something more suited to their level of skills and experience.

REALITY: Mature age workers are loyal to their employers, remaining with their current employer 2.4 times longer than younger workers (Critchley 2004). Also, many mature age workers have moved off the career ladder and are often looking for flexibility rather than career development.

MYTH: Once a worker reaches 65 they have to retire.

REALITY: Generally, there is no compulsory retirement age in Australia. However, compulsory retirement does apply in a few specific industries in some states. In general, it is illegal to discriminate on the basis of age. 

Read more: All about age discrimination 

MYTH: Mature age workers experience a decline in cognitive ability as they age.

REALITY: The Seattle Longitudinal Study, as well as other research, has found that:

• Peak performance occurs in the 50s for inductive reasoning and spatial orientation.
• The 60s is the peak age for verbal ability and verbal memory.
• The performance of older employees improves with practice, while the performance of younger employees remains constant.
• In developed countries, most people maintain their level of everyday intelligence and mental achievement to at least age 70.

Read more: Physical and cognitive changes over time

MYTH: Mature age workers are less productive than younger workers.

REALITY: Workers aged over 55 are more productive than their younger colleagues, according to research just released by Australian Health Management (ahm). ahm’s study, which examined the daily work habits of 4,000 employees, found that the average work impairment for a worker over 55 was 13% whereas, for workers under 35 impairment levels increased to 19%.

Read more: ahm health update November 2006 

MYTH: Mature age workers want to take over your job.

REALITY: Mature age workers bring both work and life experience to an organisation, so it is wise as an employer to harness these skills to help develop other staff in the organisation. Some mature age workers may have moved off the career ladder and are often looking for flexibility and job satisfaction rather than career development.

¹ see the Australian Social Trends, 1996  for more information