Why do business not want to hire people over the age of 55.?

Question

Have over 30 years in customer service and ATM's with International travel but have not found work in 2 years now.

Answer 1

I guess there several things. Cost of Insurance, the amount of productive time before retirement, also, the worth of that person. Their experience may dictate $15 an hour (Example) when the company can hire a younger person for $8 an hour with less experience. The company may keep say 5 experienced people @ $15 and they train and give advise when needed, so they not need a lot of experience, just enough to keep things going. If, you understand what I try to say.

Answer 2

I'm facing the same thing. I was downsized by a major telecommunications company in 2002, when I was 50. I never really worried about my age - I just thought my resume would speak for itself during my job search. Besides, I still look and act pretty youthful.

Just yesterday though, I ended up one of the top two candidates for a position I really wanted. I feel both interviews went well, and I couldn't have done any more in letting the company reps know how interested I was in the position and ready for the challenge of the job. (The headhunter who recruited me also thought I was the best candidate.)

I found out yesterday afternoon that the company offered the position to the other candidate. My guess is that the other candidate is most likely years younger than I am.

It almost feels like salt poured in the wound - so many older workers are losing their jobs due to outsourcing and the sending of jobs overseas. Then, you face age discrimination when you try to find other employment.

I'll be 55 in a few months. I wish I had some answers for you. I tend to be an optimistic person, but this job thing is really starting to get to me. After working for a company I hated for the last three years, about the only thing that looks good right now is at least I don't have to be at that hell hole of a company anymore.

I just wish employers didn't automatically view older workers in a negative light. I still have alot to contribute and my skills and work ethic have never been better.

Answer 3

I watched an interesting segment on our local news channel not long ago about this. They were saying that attitudes are changing these days slowly, but the original, shortsighted thinking in a lot of businesses was that they didn't want to hire an older person, whom they would have to pay more, and then that person be at greater risk for one or more of those illnesses that tend to strike down older people more often than the young'ns. Now, more businesses are realising that this thinking is flawed. Older people in that particular line of work, besides bringing experience and wisdom to the job, also tend to have a much stronger work ethic, and a desire to prove their worth. Too many younger employees these days are still "shopping" to find their niche in the world, and, believing that time is on their side, are a lot more likely to have the attitude "hey, I've got all the time in the world, and if this job doesn't suit me, I can move on.
In your particular line of expertise, I wouldn't know if employment opportunities out there are being offered by those with the "enlightened attitude", or those who just want to hire people with "youth and energy" whom they can get on board at a lower wage. But it seems these points might be worth making in your favor, when you go for further interviews.

Answer 4

This is age discrimination- but I am sure companies are counting on the fact you probably plan to retire in the next decade or so and don't want to put the money into you-although you would probably stay longer and work harder than a younger employee!

Answer 5

I guess it's because they feel you're going to leave in about 10 years. Also older people get sick more often, requiring more health insurance.

But I'm only guessing;I've never been an employer. But that's what I would think if hiring someone.

Answer 6

The smell of urine?

No, seriously, I think this will be less of a problem in the future as more and more people start working from home. Do what my mother does - lie about your age on your CV. By the time you're in work, the age thing won't matter.

Answer 7

Businesses discriminate against age, it's wrong and illegal, but they do this to avoid paying higher premiums on insurance and to avoid having to pay retirement benefits at a higher level. Basically, it comes down to greed.

Answer 8

probably afraid the health insurance premiums they'll have to pay on your behalf will bankrupt them. That's no reflection on you, just the blood-sucking insurance companies.

Answer 9

Market is bad!