Home topics news Image Credit: Egor Myznik News Small Business News Pensioners may help ease staff shortages for SMEs Yajush Gupta December 28, 2021 The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman has urged small and family businesses to hire people of all ages during the holiday period. Businesses of all sizes in every industry are experiencing the worst skill and labour shortages in more than two decades. Furthermore, the arrival of the new COVID-19 Omicron variant has also delayed the reopening of the international border for skilled migrants, working holidaymakers, and international students. According to Ombudsman Bruce Billson, reintegrating older skilled workers into the labour force will be crucial to Australia’s economic recovery without the new workers. “Small and family businesses are eager to make the most of the festive season and Summer months of trade, but finding staff is now their biggest issue,” Mr Billson said. “Vacancies are at an all-time high in the hospitality industry with more than 100,000 positions open across the country, particularly in tourism hotspots. “That is why I am encouraging small and family businesses to be age-inclusive when they advertise for people and consider the many benefits that a mature worker can bring to the business. “Age diversity is good for business. Older workers can elevate an entire workplace with their knowledge, experience and transferrable skills forged over many years. Can pensioners address worker shortage? Earlier, the national, state and territory chambers of commerce urged the Federal Treasurer to encourage greater labour-force participation