WHEN
Thursday, October 9, 2025
At 11 AM Pacific / 2 PM Eastern Time
WATCH THE RECORDING
Resources
On Your Own Time
Learn more or get certified: www.onyourowntime.ca/w-i-s-e
On Your Own Time – LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/company/on-your-own-time
Aging Vibrantly Podcast: EP 17: W.I.S.E. Age-Inclusive Workplaces
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2daiWakgzQjD4rNkWuCpxt?si=b0cca65acb1441cc
Report on Policy Options Related to the Topic of Ageism Targeting Older Canadians – March 2025
Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers Responsible for Seniors Forum
- EN: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/corporate/seniors-forum-federal-provincial-territorial/reports-publications/ageism-report.html
- FR: https://www.canada.ca/fr/emploi-developpement-social/ministere/forum-federal-provincial-territorial-aines/rapports-publications/agisme-rapport.html
Blog articles:
- Canada’s Labour Crunch: How One Program is Unlocking an Overlooked Talent Pool —and Protecting Older Adult
- The W.I.S.E. Program: Harnessing Experience to Build Stronger, Safer Workplaces
- The double prejudice facing Disabled older workers
- Supporting Disabled Older Workers Summary Report
- Retaining older workers vital to meeting government’s house building and infrastructure drive
ABOUT
Webinar hosted by Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario and the Canadian Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse in recognition of Ageism Awareness Day.
Today thousands of skilled and experienced older people who want or need to keep working are being quietly pushed aside. When older adults are excluded from meaningful work, it not only impacts their income and independence, but it can also reinforce ageist stereotypes that contribute to social isolation, a known risk factor for abuse. While elder abuse is often discussed in the context of home or care settings, workplaces also play a vital role in shaping attitudes toward aging.
W.I.S.E. (Wisdom, Inclusivity, Synergy, and Equity), developed by On Your Own Time, fosters age-inclusive workplaces through a certification program designed to help employers tap into the expertise of older workers. In this webinar, you will learn how W.I.S.E. guides employers through a practical, supportive audit of their hiring language, benefits, training opportunities, and workplace culture, and how inclusive hiring tools can help create environments where experience is valued as an asset, not a liability. Whether you’re an employer, policymaker, or experienced worker, your role matters.
By championing age inclusion today, we’re not only filling critical gaps in the labor market, but we’re also building workplaces that are wiser, stronger, and more resilient for the future.
ASL Interpretation will be available.
PRESENTER
Carolynne Mahood
Carolynne Mahood is the founder of On Your Own Time. She is a fully accredited and trained Human Resource professional, with more than 45 years of experience gained in private and public sectors, large corporations, and small privately owned businesses.
The idea for On Your Own Time originated when Carolynne left formal employment (she never actually retired!) and initially looked forward to gardening, volunteering, and travelling more. After a few weeks, though, she realized she missed working! While she didn’t want to go back to the 9-5 routine, in an office, she realized that giving up formal work didn’t mean giving up; she knew she had valuable skills that could be used to complete short term, periodic and/or project activities, while balancing her other important retirement activities. Her search for the ideal opportunity became elusive; through different on-line platforms she saw that there was a big demand for skilled workers, who were required to make a long-term formal commitment to their employers. Through her years of work in Human Resources Carolynne fully understood how much it costs to employ someone, which, in addition to pay, may include benefits, training, annual salary increases, pension plan and more. She talked to employers who welcomed the ability to hire experienced, qualified individuals and save money!
She also knew from her experience how difficult it is for employers to attract and hold onto qualified employees. After meeting and speaking with other like-minded individuals, who wanted to keep busy and challenged, feel useful and valuable, have a purpose, and make extra money, while enjoying the freedom of retirement, the joy of parenthood, and the flexibility of non-traditional work, Carolynne realized there was an untapped source of applicants.
The result is a service that offers introductions between workers or volunteers who can choose when and how they share their skills and knowledge, and employers, who are willing to offer flexible hours but benefit from expertise and save money.
