Hi Professionals !! Lately I've heard a lot, both in the news and from clients, that people just don't want to hire a candidate who is over 50. I think this is short sighted, professionals ned your assistance here. Kindly guide me with this cultural misfit hitch.
From India, Kalyan
11From India, Kalyan
Unfortunate but true- The Cons of hiring 50+
1. Physical fitness
2. Mental alertness
3. Speed of reflexes (physical & mental)
4. seen as short term employee (due to age)
5. Longetivity in service suspect (mortality)
6 Money factor ( all other things remaining the same you have to respect seniority when distributing wages)
7. Ability to adapt to changing social norms and trends
The Pros of hiring 50+
1. Experience that cannot be replaced by attending B scjhools
2. Maturity unmatched
3. Loyalty undisputed (mostly)
4. Morals -firmly grounded & levelled out
5. Will not need to look for short term gains
6 A calming and soothing influence in the work place
7.Dependable and bankable
Most of the recruiters and business heads look at the subject this way and invariably what clouds ones mind while weighing on such decisions is growth and profitability which is better challenged with young and fresh legs at modern pace. Finally I guess the thinking may also be- why pay for a pair of tired legs when you can get 2 pair of fresh ones for the same price.
Is it wrong? well I could probably write a book on it but sadly that is the fact that makes up a modern day workplace.
Will it change and what will make it change?- I certainly hope it will, with a change in mindset. Let's hope mindsets will change.
Regards
From India, Delhi
1. Physical fitness
2. Mental alertness
3. Speed of reflexes (physical & mental)
4. seen as short term employee (due to age)
5. Longetivity in service suspect (mortality)
6 Money factor ( all other things remaining the same you have to respect seniority when distributing wages)
7. Ability to adapt to changing social norms and trends
The Pros of hiring 50+
1. Experience that cannot be replaced by attending B scjhools
2. Maturity unmatched
3. Loyalty undisputed (mostly)
4. Morals -firmly grounded & levelled out
5. Will not need to look for short term gains
6 A calming and soothing influence in the work place
7.Dependable and bankable
Most of the recruiters and business heads look at the subject this way and invariably what clouds ones mind while weighing on such decisions is growth and profitability which is better challenged with young and fresh legs at modern pace. Finally I guess the thinking may also be- why pay for a pair of tired legs when you can get 2 pair of fresh ones for the same price.
Is it wrong? well I could probably write a book on it but sadly that is the fact that makes up a modern day workplace.
Will it change and what will make it change?- I certainly hope it will, with a change in mindset. Let's hope mindsets will change.
Regards
From India, Delhi
Thanks Young Lad !!!
In our culture no one stays in a job for their entire career. If you can get an employee to stay for 3 - 5 years then why hire them. If you know that you can hire someone who is only looking to work for another 5 - 10 years, shouldn't they be at the top of the candidate pile?
Say for example: There are 2 types of older workers: Those who are working because they enjoy it and those who are working because they have to. That's not to say that they can't be both. But there are those who have savings and a retirement plan, and who will work until the age of 65 and that's it. Then there are those who, for many reasons, have no savings and no retirement plan, and need to keep working in order to survive. Both types can be great employees. Both can be loyal employees.
Plus, think of the maturity that an older person can bring into your office. Oh sure, you have a "young culture" and you worry that they won't "fit in". But maybe this is exactly what your office needs. There's nothing wrong with a little variety. Many Managers are managing with 4 generations in their workplace.
These are just my views but we all go with the policies made by management. I wanted to know if i have atleast one strong point to justify my view. Hence i need professional suggestions & Advices... :)
From India, Kalyan
In our culture no one stays in a job for their entire career. If you can get an employee to stay for 3 - 5 years then why hire them. If you know that you can hire someone who is only looking to work for another 5 - 10 years, shouldn't they be at the top of the candidate pile?
Say for example: There are 2 types of older workers: Those who are working because they enjoy it and those who are working because they have to. That's not to say that they can't be both. But there are those who have savings and a retirement plan, and who will work until the age of 65 and that's it. Then there are those who, for many reasons, have no savings and no retirement plan, and need to keep working in order to survive. Both types can be great employees. Both can be loyal employees.
Plus, think of the maturity that an older person can bring into your office. Oh sure, you have a "young culture" and you worry that they won't "fit in". But maybe this is exactly what your office needs. There's nothing wrong with a little variety. Many Managers are managing with 4 generations in their workplace.
These are just my views but we all go with the policies made by management. I wanted to know if i have atleast one strong point to justify my view. Hence i need professional suggestions & Advices... :)
From India, Kalyan
I am 64 years old.
I can do 2 to 3 times as much work in a day as a person half my age.
I do not waste three quarters of my working day on Facebook, Instagram, Whatsapp, Youtube, internet searching etc etc
I am loyal to my employer when I find an organisation I enjoy working for.
I do not get sick very often and take time off work.
I do not have children who need to be looked after.
I do not have elderly parents and grandparents who need to be looked after.
I do not have a demanding wife.
I am quiet, sober and well mannered.
I am friendly, and get on well with most people.
I do not take my personal life or problems to work.
I turn up for work every day, on time and put in a full day's work.
I do not spend half my day making personal phone calls.
I do not hop from job to job because I like stability.
From Australia, Melbourne
I can do 2 to 3 times as much work in a day as a person half my age.
I do not waste three quarters of my working day on Facebook, Instagram, Whatsapp, Youtube, internet searching etc etc
I am loyal to my employer when I find an organisation I enjoy working for.
I do not get sick very often and take time off work.
I do not have children who need to be looked after.
I do not have elderly parents and grandparents who need to be looked after.
I do not have a demanding wife.
I am quiet, sober and well mannered.
I am friendly, and get on well with most people.
I do not take my personal life or problems to work.
I turn up for work every day, on time and put in a full day's work.
I do not spend half my day making personal phone calls.
I do not hop from job to job because I like stability.
From Australia, Melbourne
If you see everything has their own Pro's and con's.
I a slightly disagree with Younglad. I am may be wrong but this what I strongly feel.
He said "Finally I guess the thinking may also be- why pay for a pair of tired legs when you can get 2 pair of fresh ones for the same price"
I say you do not guarantee how long your fresh legs will support you.They run too fast and tired legs have their own speed as they are walking from years now.
This generation doesn't think anything. They can abscond anytime, what if they leave you in middle of the project. However people who are over OR near to 50 they have a sense of responsibility. They will never ever leave you in a situation where you are stuck.
They are very discipline hence they bring some discipline.
They need not to show the experience, they are experienced and it speaks.
They know how to speak, what to speak, when to speak and where to speak.
There are lot of reasons which I can write here. Certainly my vote goes to hiring over 50
From India, Pune
I a slightly disagree with Younglad. I am may be wrong but this what I strongly feel.
He said "Finally I guess the thinking may also be- why pay for a pair of tired legs when you can get 2 pair of fresh ones for the same price"
I say you do not guarantee how long your fresh legs will support you.They run too fast and tired legs have their own speed as they are walking from years now.
This generation doesn't think anything. They can abscond anytime, what if they leave you in middle of the project. However people who are over OR near to 50 they have a sense of responsibility. They will never ever leave you in a situation where you are stuck.
They are very discipline hence they bring some discipline.
They need not to show the experience, they are experienced and it speaks.
They know how to speak, what to speak, when to speak and where to speak.
There are lot of reasons which I can write here. Certainly my vote goes to hiring over 50
From India, Pune
Valid points above. However there are concerns not even verbalized which make such hiring almost impossible. Some :
- Their boss will most probably be younger and less experienced. In a group that may lead to diminishing of his authority which he obviously wants to avoid.
- While the person is " fit " today he may not be so very soon. While that can happen at any age, older one becomes more is the possibility. Given that this is unpredictable, companies lean towards the younger ones.
- The elder should not be working anyways and give chance instead to the younger set.
Unless the candidate is well known to the hiring authority (s)he will never be able to allay such concerns. If they are exceptionally good / needed at the moment they could be offered time bound " associate " roles.
From United States, New York
- Their boss will most probably be younger and less experienced. In a group that may lead to diminishing of his authority which he obviously wants to avoid.
- While the person is " fit " today he may not be so very soon. While that can happen at any age, older one becomes more is the possibility. Given that this is unpredictable, companies lean towards the younger ones.
- The elder should not be working anyways and give chance instead to the younger set.
Unless the candidate is well known to the hiring authority (s)he will never be able to allay such concerns. If they are exceptionally good / needed at the moment they could be offered time bound " associate " roles.
From United States, New York
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