Perhaps you’ve felt that your voice isn’t heard by decision-makers and elected officials in Denver. Many of us older adults have been or want to be in the workforce and many people in rural areas have felt this acutely and persistently.
Now, on an important and urgent issue—the experiences of workers age 50+ on the job and when job-seeking—you can be heard. You can help influence Colorado’s policies on older workers in the pre-and post-COVID eras from the comfort of your home and in a few minutes. Take the workforce survey. It’s an easy action to take on a complex issue.
Older adults in Colorado who were, are, or hope to be in the workforce are encouraged to take the brief survey. (The survey closes August 31, 2020.)
The survey is sponsored by Changing the Narrative. Hundreds of urban older adults have filled out the survey but fewer rural older adults have responded. Let’s change that!
Help shape policy
By gathering feedback from adults age 50+ on the challenges they have encountered in the workforce and when applying for jobs—in addition to noting the strengths we bring to the workplace—the data can be shared with key leaders. The results of the workforce survey will inform and advise state officials, county decision-makers, nonprofit organizations, and employers who are beginning to re-hire as the state open
Responses also will be used to help inform programming designed to assist those experiencing difficulties and to help people age 50+ gain access to meaningful work that fully uses their talents and abilities.
We hope to include the voices of more rural respondents, and we need them quickly!
Unemployment insurance benefits run out on August 1. Many more people will be seeking work, but needing resources to successfully do so. Changing the Narrative believes that there are many rural adults age 50+ who share experiences and needs with their urban counterparts, but also have unique perspectives.
By learning more about what those are, our program can help employers, state and local counties, and nonprofits to design solutions, programs, and policies that will help people age 50+ get back to work, benefitting older adults, employers, and Colorado’s economy.
Represent your community
Questions in the survey range from “Are you looking for work and how long have you been looking?” to “Why are you seeking employment?” as well as questions about ageism in the workplace.
All responses will remain anonymous. This survey takes six to eight minutes to complete. At the end of the survey, respondents will have a chance to enter a drawing for one of five $100 gift cards.
Rural older adults in Colorado who were, are, or hope to be in the workforce are encouraged to take the brief survey. (The survey closes August 31, 2020.)
Karen Brown, the Director of the Changing the Narrative Age-friendly Workplace Initiative