Skip to main content
Home The New Paper
  • Home
  • News
    • Singapore
    • World
    • Business
    • Views
    • Backstage
    • Others
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Singapore Football
    • Team Singapore
    • School Sports
    • Athletics
    • Basketball
    • Cricket
    • Swimming
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • Racing
    • Others
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Music
    • TV
    • Star Style
    • School of Frock
  • Lifestyle
    • Makan
    • Hed Chef
    • Weets Eats
    • Health
    • Tech
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Shopping
    • Biker Boy
    • Celeb Chow
    • Others
  • Racing
  • Your Tip-Offs
  • Read E-Paper
  • Contests
  • Coupon
  • Team

Popular

  • COURT & CRIME
  • Food & Drink
Singapore

Change of mindset, redesigning jobs needed to support older workers

Change of mindset, redesigning jobs needed to support older workers
Negative stereotypes that older workers are slower, more rigid or less productive prevent them from being hired. TNP FILE PHOTO
Sue-Ann Tan
Feb 26, 2021 06:00 am
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on WhatsApp
  • E-mail this article
  • 0 Engagements

More initiatives are needed to support older workers, such as redesigning jobs and pushing for a mindset change among employers and staff, MPs said yesterday.

This is especially important as these older workers provide a source of talent that can be tapped, they added.

Ms Tin Pei Ling (MacPherson SMC) said: "Ageism is unfortunately rather rooted in Singapore. Despite an ageing workforce, ageist mindsets can be found in many workplace settings.

"We still encounter seniors who want to work but struggle to secure suitable and adequate employment... They are often the first to go and last to be hired."

She added that there are negative stereotypes of older workers - slower, weaker, more rigid or less productive - that hinder them from being hired and discourage their professional development.

"Our ageing workforce means that employers have to accept the reality of an increasingly mature manpower supply. Hence, our default thinking should be to find ways to leverage senior workers' strengths and not find ways to undermine or get rid of them."

DPM Heng steps aside as 4G leader for younger successor
Singapore

DPM Heng steps aside as 4G leader for younger successor

Apr 09, 2021

Related Stories

SM Teo will be acting prime minister when PM Lee is absent

PM Lee will stay on until new 4G leader is chosen

DPM Heng will give up finance portfolio in Cabinet reshuffle

Ms Tin suggested that companies review their human resource policies and make it standard operating procedure to hold conversations with their senior workers on meaningful re-employment or deployment.

"To be fair, there is a need for renewal so that younger workers have a chance to rise up and accumulate their own experiences," she said.

"But where senior workers are still fit and keen to work, companies should discuss options that allow senior workers to preserve their work and compensation."

She said companies can also adapt their working environment, job design and processes to support senior workers. This is possible with technology such that productivity will not be affected.

For those who would like to change jobs, a centre can also be set up to match senior job seekers to new opportunities, she suggested.

Mr Yip Hon Weng (Yio Chu Kang SMC) noted that while resources have been allocated to support senior workers, a mindset change among employers and workers is also necessary.

He said: "Concerns about employing seniors can be overcome by redesigning jobs and the physical workplace. But this is something that companies find cumbersome to do... Seniors must, at the same time, continue to be willing to adapt and persevere despite the challenges that they may face at work."

Mr Gan Thiam Poh (Ang Mo Kio GRC) asked for a further extension of job credits and wage supplements to support senior workers and low-income workers.

"We must continue to help middle-aged and senior workers who had lost their jobs to reskill and move on to new careers," he said.

This article was first published in The Straits Times

Get The New Paper on your phone with the free TNP app. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store now

Singapore Politics

Sue-Ann Tan

Read articles by Sue-Ann Tan
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on WhatsApp
  • E-mail this article
  • Newslink -  Purchase this article for republication

Top Stories this Month

Naiise closes last store at Jewel, may wind up operations
Singapore

Naiise shutters last store at Jewel, may cease operations

Apr 12, 2021
HDB resale prices up for 9 months in a row, could pass all-time high
Singapore

HDB resale prices up for 9 months in a row, could pass all-time high

Apr 09, 2021
Gas blast during hotpot meal costs woman her new job
Singapore

Gas blast during hotpot meal cost woman her new job

Apr 05, 2021
Home
  • Contests
  • Coupon
  • Team
  • Home
  • News
    • Singapore
    • World
    • Business
    • Views
    • Backstage
    • Others
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Singapore Football
    • Team Singapore
    • School Sports
    • Athletics
    • Basketball
    • Cricket
    • Swimming
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • Racing
    • Others
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Music
    • TV
    • Star Style
    • School of Frock
  • Lifestyle
    • Makan
    • Hed Chef
    • Weets Eats
    • Health
    • Tech
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Shopping
    • Biker Boy
    • Celeb Chow
    • Others
  • Racing
  • Your Tip-Offs
  • Read E-Paper
  • Contact TNP
  • About SPH
  • Privacy Statement
  • Data Protection Policy
  • Member Terms & Conditions
  • Website Terms & Conditions
SPH Digital News Copyright © 2021 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. Co. Regn No. 198402868E