Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology CRICOS Provider Code 00301J G Lewin, S Austen, T Jefferson, R Ong and R Sharp Mature age workers’ intention to leave aged care

Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology CRICOS Provider Code 00301J Background  Population ageing threatens labour supply  Need to encourage workforce participation at all ages  Women workers 45+ missing in analyses  A growing demographic  Potential to increase participation  Need to understand their employment decisions  Aged care workers a case study Mature Age Workers’ intention to leave aged care

Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology CRICOS Provider Code 00301J Research Objectives  What are the key factors influencing older womens’ decisions to maintain or leave employment in the aged care sector?  How do mature age womens’ paid and unpaid roles and circumstances interact to determine their ability/willingness to remain in paid work in the aged care sector?  What are the implications for policy on the retention of mature age women in Australia’s aged care sector? Mature Age Workers’ intention to leave aged care

Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology CRICOS Provider Code 00301J Study Phases Phase 1: Analysis of HILDA data in relation to older womens’ employment transitions Phase 2: Survey of older women in aged care re. employment plans Phase 3: Re-survey same workers 12 months later Phase 4: Conduct interviews with diverse sample of workers Phase 5: Analyse data and use to refine economic models of employment decision making Mature Age Workers’ intention to leave aged care

Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology CRICOS Provider Code 00301J Survey Method  Survey based on UK “NEXT” survey of nurses  Long, so professionally designed  19 Aged Care providers recruited  6867 surveys sent to direct care workers 45+  Year 1, 2850 paper surveys completed ( electronic)  Year 2, 2349 surveys completed (2138 stayers, 211 leavers)  989 in year 2 had not responded in year Mature Age Workers’ intention to leave aged care

Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology CRICOS Provider Code 00301J Survey 1 Respondent Ages Mature Age Workers’ intention to leave aged care

Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology CRICOS Provider Code 00301J Survey Respondents – Demographics Mature Age Workers’ intention to leave aged care Survey 1 Survey 2 Stayers Survey2 Leavers Living Situation Not with partner32.6%30.1%28.8% With partner67.4%69.9%71.2% Dependent children living at home Yes30.1%25.3%23.6% No69.9%74.7%76.4% Self-rated health Poor/fair4.4%11.8%20.4% Good/v.good/excellent95.6%89.2%79.6% Current contract in aged care Permanent81.3%80.0% Casual18.7%20.0% Economic situation Very strained/strained24.5%21.8%28.2% Neither good/bad37.0%39.1%27.1% Good/very good38.5%39.1%44.7%

Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology CRICOS Provider Code 00301J Thinking of Leaving Mature Age Workers’ intention to leave aged care Response Year 1Year 2 Stayers No Can’t say Yes Total 100.0

Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology CRICOS Provider Code 00301J Main Reasons Thinking of Leaving - surveys Mature Age Workers’ intention to leave aged care

Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology CRICOS Provider Code 00301J Physical workability and Health Mature Age Workers’ intention to leave aged care Self-Rated Health%age with good/v.good ability to cope with physical demands

Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology CRICOS Provider Code 00301J Physical Workability and Age Mature Age Workers’ intention to leave aged care Age%age with good/v.good ability to cope with physical demands

Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology CRICOS Provider Code 00301J Level of Pay Satisfaction Mature Age Workers’ intention to leave aged care Survey 1 Survey 2

Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology CRICOS Provider Code 00301J Pay satisfaction and Thoughts of leaving Mature Age Workers’ intention to leave aged care Survey 1 Survey 2

Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology CRICOS Provider Code 00301J Sources of pay dissatisfaction Mature Age Workers’ intention to leave aged care Percentage not at all satisfied with pay when asked to consider:

Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology CRICOS Provider Code 00301J Survey 2 Leavers- Factors important Mature Age Workers’ intention to leave aged care

Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology CRICOS Provider Code 00301J Stayers: most positive changes to working conditions in last 12 months Mature Age Workers’ intention to leave aged care Better staffing levels14.2% Improved management17.4% Better role/changed sectors4.8% Improved equipment /physical environment11.2% Increased pay5.1% More training +/role change8.1%

Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology CRICOS Provider Code 00301J Leavers –would any changes have encouraged you to stay? ‘Yes’ % Mature Age Workers’ intention to leave aged care Change in role/ incr. responsibility/ training, less paperwork, more care 11.3% Improved management practices28.0% Lower physical or mental demands 4.7% Better staff12.0% More hours or better pay16.0% Better shifts, more stability 6.7% Reduced workload, increased staff ratios17.3%

Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology CRICOS Provider Code 00301J Leavers – some quotes Mature Age Workers’ intention to leave aged care ‘An extra staff member on night shift ……’ ‘Ratio of patients, clients, residents per nurse needs to be reviewed..’ ‘Proprietors should be required to put money - a certain amount back into the facility to maintain and update equipment’ ‘If the management was patient until my health condition was rectified…’ ‘If I had been given the opportunity to do office work after worker’s comp…..’ More staff, better equipment Greater role flexibility

Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology CRICOS Provider Code 00301J Summary “Work is very physical, mentally demanding and not paid well. If the changes are made in this area would be more good carers” – Survey respondent  Issue is multifaceted  Potential strategies include: investing in better equipment, improved staff ratios, opportunities for less demanding work when illness or injury occurs, recruiting workers to be fit and healthy; and, increasing wages Mature Age Workers’ intention to leave aged care

Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology CRICOS Provider Code 00301J Acknowledgements  My research colleagues for inviting me on the team  ARC for their Discovery Grant Funding  Aged Care Providers for agreeing to send out surveys  ANF for hosting electronic survey and advertising to members  Survey respondents and interviewees Mature Age Workers’ intention to leave aged care