Involuntary retirement and disability discrimination addressed by Human Rights Commission

The Australian Human Rights Commission employment discrimination inquiry announced on Wednesday will enable focus on Australians forced into early retirement, and discrimination towards those with a disability, the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees (AIST) said.

Last year AIST and the Australian Centre for Financial Studies found that 46 per cent of workers over the age of 55 were likely to experience job search exclusion compared to 30 per cent aged between 45 and 54 years.  

"Up to 40 per cent of Australians don't get to choose when they retire and a significant number of these people have experienced workplace discrimination," AIST chief executive, Tom Garcia, said.

"Many older Australians are trying to stay in the workforce but simply can't get the work. This impacts on their quality of life, confidence, and their ability to save for retirement."

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AIST welcomed the inquiry's discrimination focus and Garcia said that individuals with a disability were seven times more likely to experience involuntary retirement.

"They aren't getting to make a choice that will have a large impact on their lifestyle and financial future," he said.

Age and Disability Commissioner, Susan Ryan, said the inquiry hopes to engage all public and private employers of all sizes along with older people, workers with disability, and their representative organisations.

"The common goal is to improve opportunities for those experiencing workplace discrimination and maximise human potential to the benefit of all of us," Ryan said.

"Evidence shows that people with disability and older Australians are willing to work."

The Commission expects the inquiry to conclude and report by July 2016.