Brisbane City Council is one of the largest local governments in the Asia-Pacific region. They have a workforce of nearly 7400 staff, over 44 per cent of whom are aged 45 or over, with 54 staff aged over 65.
The council has strategies to ensure they plan and prepare for the workforce they will need in 2010. The 'Wise Heads' project is a a specific response to the issue of the organisation's ageing workforce. It aims to attract, support and retain mature age workers, and equip managers with skills and knowledge to manage the workforce as it changes.
In conjunction with the 'Wise Heads' project, the Council offers flexible work practices including:
- carer's leave
- time off in lieu
- part-time options
- teleworking
- job sharing
The council encourages their mature age staff to remain at work longer by offering them a phased retirement or the option to return as a contractor after leaving permanent work.
The council has developed strategies addressing the recruitment of mature age workers. For example, the Council focuses their employment campaigns towards mature age people by using positive images of mature people in their job advertisements and promoting their range of flexible working options to encourage mature age people to apply for positions within the Council.
The Council have found these campaigns very successful in attracting and retaining experienced and dedicated staff.