Letter: We need a website for jobseekers aged over 50
Wednesday 28th July 2010, 7:00AM BST.
Letter: Mr Frank Goodall’s letter in the Star, Thursday July 22, has a very clear and simple message to employers.
There are many people who, in my experience, are unable to find alternative employment as they are considered too old.
Of course no employer can or will ever say that. You either don’t get an interview or, if you do, then there are simple questions to get around this issue such as “do you really want this type of position again at your stage of life”, or whatever terms the question is couched in to avoid legal issues.
Like Mr Goodall I have worked all my life in a range of positions in the UK and Germany but despite travelling all over the UK to interviews and being shortlisted for a few positions I can’t seem to break the barrier.
Maybe it’s not just age – possibly some individuals may feel threatened by employing people with a life’s worth of experience… or both! I wish I knew the answer.
I am pretty sure there will be a barrage of responses to this letter. Just remember, rightly or wrongly, this is a personal view. If only there was a website for “over 50′s” jobs… that would cause a real stir in our zealous PC climate but can anyone find a solution? I doubt it and the chips are down for the future.
With unemployment at record levels, the decimation of UK manufacturing industry and so many talented people leaving colleges and universities without jobs what hope is there for us late 40′s and above?
Paul Thomas
Priorslee
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Having watched my father for years lose out on jobs to far younger, more under qualified people, I do understand. However, why should over 50′s in this ‘equal opportunities’ age take preference over a job that a 30 something could do?.
What next, more tea breaks?, later starts and earlier finishes whilst the younger counterparts pick up the slack?.
It’s a sad fact that older people are discriminated against, however from an employers perspective it makes more sense to employ younger staff. They are usually more subservient, have less time off sick, have a more open mind and are physically and mentally more energetic. Would ‘life experience’ be a good trade off?. Sadly I don’t think so.
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a lot of people aged 50+ have something younger people don’t have experience
also most people aged 50+ normally have a steady home life not be so interested in going and getting drunk at night and another thing most of them respect fellow workmates and bosses
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OK Mike but remember your paying for the 45+ generation to sit on their bum doing nothing with all the social/economic/health outcomes.
you say “They are usually more subservient, have less time off sick, have a more open mind and are physically and mentally more energetic”
This is true in any dog eat dog society and we are paying for importing labour and experiance from abroad that met your criteria rather than training the upcoming generation.
If this society wants people to work to an older age then their has to be either a major rethink on job allocation or a cull at 50 (don’t reply to that one, i’m 59 :) )
The baby boomers will need looking after (your mums and dads/grandparents) until they drop off their perch, why can’t fit over 50′s be proritised to look after their peers? other jobs particularly in the teaching field are ideally suited to old fogies as certain jobs are best done by the young.
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In a civilised society people over 50 would have retired to pursue other interests instead of chasing mundane jobs.
It’s time the over 50s were all pensioned off and the young given a better chance to find gainful employment.
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@Genbac … Are there no Prisons? .. Are there no Workhouses? ….. Better that they should die and decrease the surplus population! …..
Be careful what you wish for! … there well may come a time when you will get it! ……
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Oh dear some see over 50 as old all rather sad. Why tell anyone your age? .Plenty of work out there no matter what your age if you are fit and healthy. Why does anyone need to retire fully until the age of 80? keep active .My mother is 73 and still works 2 nights a week 10 hour shifts because she wants to and she got that job at 67 after being retired for 2 years keeps her fit and pays for 3 holidays a year. I also no a gentleman who is 83 and works as an early morning cleaner at a local education establishment 4-8 five days a week again does not have to but chooses to as it keeps him young and fit .Or even better start your own business the world is your oyster no matter how old you are unemployed and 50 does not mean having no more ambition or get up and go.
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As always it depends on the individual. I run a small Building Services Engineering Design Consultancy. I would be glad to employ people who have the right skills, ability and the the will to work and be productive. Age is not the issue.
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