The Growing Problem of Age Bias

Posted by in Career Advice •


Lately, when I talk with job seekers, the one thing I hear the most is “No one will hire me because I'm too old.” At first, I thought that this couldn't possibly be true. Although it may be more difficult for a person over 50 to start a new career, I thought that any bias would be minimal. As a woman, I have found that it is more difficult to find a job than it is for a male with similar qualifications; however the difference isn't extremely large, and the employers who are hesitant or unwilling to hire a woman aren't people I would want to work for anyway.

 

That being said, I've come to see that age bias is real and posing a huge problem for job seekers as young as 40. Because of the extremely tight job market of the past few years, employers are able to be as picky as they'd like and not have to worry that they won't be able to find the right candidate. They can search for someone under 30, who speaks 3 languages fluently, who has a degree and is willing to accept entry-level pay and be reasonably confident that they will find that person.

 

This employer-sided job market is making it extremely easy for older job seekers to find themselves locked out of the workforce. In fact, a report titled “The New Unemployables” published by Boston College showed a disturbing trend of age discrimination across the board in corporate America. Here's some of the things they found when surveying job seekers over 50:

 

 

  • 40% rated their financial situation as poor, and 61% said they have adjusted their plans for retirement.
  • 41% of older workers (employed and unemployed) indicated they have no health care benefits.
  • Over half (51%) of older workers reported foregoing medical care for themselves or their families, compared to 35% of younger workers.
  • 30% of older workers indicated that they had more in credit card debt than retirement savings.
  • Fully two thirds (67%) reported using money from savings to make ends meet.
 
In addition, they asked older job seekers about their willingness to be flexible and adjust to the changing job market. This is what they found:
 
  • Willingness to adapt to the depressed job market by changing careers (69%).
  • Willingness to take a pay cut (77%), compared to 64% of prime age job seekers.
  • However, only 12% of older workers had taken a class or training course for skills to get a new job, compared to 20% of younger workers.
 
According to the AARP, there are 2 million unemployed people that are over 55. What's worse is that these unemployed people are out of work for an average of 60 weeks, compared to 38.5 weeks for workers under 55. The numbers make it hard to believe that age discrimination isn't happening. In fact, the Senate Special Committee on Aging has looked into the issue and reported that many employers aren't hiring workers over 55 because they assume those workers have out-of-date-skills and will impact group healthcare costs.
 
It doesn't seem likely that this problem will have a solution any time soon. According to Forbes, the outlook for those over 55 doesn't look good. However, older job seekers can attempt to lessen age bias by creating functional resumes that don't include information like birth dates and graduation dates. To combat the idea that people over 50 are out of touch or not current with technology, they can include links to their professional networking accounts and demonstrate their comfort with using the Internet to communicate.
 
Discriminating against older workers is just plain wrong, and in the long run, employers are the ones who will be hurt the most. Older workers provide companies with the benefit of years of experience and the ability to get the job done. In addition, these seasoned employees provide valuable mentorship opportunities for younger workers. Personally, I have found that having more experienced and knowledgeable co-workers has helped me learn more about the job and has encouraged me to excel. Older workers aren't out of touch dinosaurs, they add to the vibrant diversity of any workplace.
 
Have you fallen victim to the age bias? What do you think will help? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
 
Image Source: MorgueFile

 
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  • Melissa Kennedy
    Melissa Kennedy •
    Thanks for the great comments. It's a frustrating position to be in, but older, more experienced, workers still have a lot to offer any company.
  • Carlo P
    Carlo P •
    I do consider all of the ideas you have introduced to your post. They are really convincing and can definitely work. Nonetheless, the posts are very short for beginners. May just you please prolong them a little from next time? Thank you for the post.  Carlo P
  • Lucinda Ellison L
    Lucinda Ellison L •
    Great article! I agree whole heartedly. I am 50 and was laid off 2 years ago. My employer flat out told me that financially they couldn't afford to keep me. I was the most experienced on the staff (a very small family company, half of the employees were family). Since then, I have had numerous interviews and been a finalist more than once. In many cases, they have hired someone younger. I have maintained up to date skills in my field. This is a very frustrating time indeed!
  • Arthur H
    Arthur H •
    When I do work, I feel alienated, as most of the people around me are as I say, "are 20 something".
  • Elizabeth l
    Elizabeth l •
    As a 50+ unemployed architect intern I couldn't agree more with this article. I have been on  many interviews and although I get good feedback I don't get the job it goes to a much younger student for reasons no one can say! I am very up to date with all the skills and still nothing! Out of work 12 months!
  • Michael K
    Michael K •
    It happens too often in |Missouri. I wish I knew what to do about it.
  • Blanca M
    Blanca M •
    I agreed with your article a 100%. What I had found is that are a lot of people in the market that think a senior citizen is not worth to try to hire, specially if they have to trained you. The future employers will not tell you, but you sort of know their fellings. Why is not more job openings just for seniors?
  • Teresa J
    Teresa J •
    I was laid off on 6/30/11 because I worked there for oer 8 years and made more money that the new girl who had no experience. I had the seniority but still laid off. I was told my age would not be a problem as I "looked" younger. It has now been over 20 months and I apply to many open positions that I am qualified for, but I never hear back for an interview even though my resume only lists the last 10 years on my resume. The problem is in completing the application when it wants dates and other info. that shows my age. I am very skilled in my profession and rarely had a sick day even though I acquired a lot of sick time, but I can''t even get an interview.
  • Linda C
    Linda C •
    I agree I am a registered nurse  55 plus ,I retire 18 mos ago. Then I decided to go back to work and it has been tough,lots of competition no job yet after 6 months .Wow its tough but I won't give up I've got nothing to loose.
  • Jacqueline M
    Jacqueline M •
    I'm 40+ and I believe if employers give a chance in the work place and at certain ages in the work places employers give benifits It just might work cause in the work place today do to age descrimination employers are loosin there most best and proffesional qualities when they count us out who paveed the way? I'm just commenting don't get me wrong young people should work also .

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