Why do senior citizens that don't need the money take jobs from younger folks instead of doing volunteer work?

Question

I can understand a senior citizen working during retirement if he or she TRULY needs the money, but many people that do not need the extra money go back to part-time or full-time work anyway. These retired people are also payed a lower salary and I think it just hurts younger people who could benefit more from the job the "retired" person is doing. In addition, many older people can't do the more physically-demanding jobs as well, so this places an extra burden on younger people working around the person (to make up for the physical demands not met by the retired person). Anyway, to me it just seems that, if an older person who doesn't need the extra money is just bored, they should do volunteer work or something and let the younger people have the jobs that pay the bills.

NOTE: I am ONLY referring to older people that DO NOT need the extra money from working during retirement, as many of you have apparently failed to read.

Answer 1

My Mother has often wondered this herself. We can't get her to retire (she's 74, but works on-call), but they do need the money at this time. There are older people she works with as well and finds it annoying that they use their job as a social contact setting rather than getting the work done. Some people equate work with income as more valuable than volunteer work. Some of this stems from attitudes prevalent since WW2. Volunteer work isn't 'real' work.

Answer 2

They deserve to get a job just like a young person does. And, they deserve to get paid for it. You suggest that they just go out and volunteer.. Why? If they want to have a job, they have all the right in the world.

Also, how do you know whether they "do not need the extra money" or not? There are large numbers of senior citizens that NEED to keep working to be able to pay the bills and make ends meet.

There is also the fact that, in some cases, the employer may want them because they are experienced and can do the job.

I almost get the impression from the way the whole question is asked.. that you feel that younger people DESERVE some special treatment (getting hired because they are younger) etc.. or like they are ENTITLED to the job over the senior, etc.. I do not agree with that at all..

IN FACT, I recently heard that in one province in Canada they were talking about getting rid of the idea of 'mandatory retirement' at age 65.. and I thought that was a SUPERB idea. There is no reason at all that a person should be forced out of their job just because they are a certain age.. If they can still do the work, they deserve to stay..

Anywhoooo...

Answer 3

Questions that are racist, full of hate, or being used to promote a political or religious belief don't belong here. Other than that, most questions are welcome even from the young ones who think this area is for seniors in high school. We all were in high school once, or know someone who is and can remember what it was like. If a question requires expert information, such as something medical or scientific, it should be directed to that area or a doctor. Just because Yahoo may have originally been intended for a specific purpose, doesn't mean that it can never change, or alter, unlike Jim.

Answer 4

Reliability. Young people are so unreliable. No work ethic. They want the money but take off at the drop a hat to chase butterflies or whatever. I only hire older more experienced and dependable workers that show up when they are supposed to and get the job done. This is why the young are called cannon fodder and expendable, etc. I have a sign on my office wall that says "Old Age & Treachery Will Overcome Youth & Skill". It is nice to have people working for you who have survived and killed and don't even break into a sweat when chaos erupts.

Answer 5

While I am retired and do not work at a regular job, I do see retired people working. But how many of those jobs do you see young people working at or even trying to get that job? I bet you don't see many you people doing those jobs because they don't want to do that kind of work, don't like the hours, or just don't want to work. So no matter what you believe I don't see retired people taking any jobs away from young people, but do see a lot of young people who don't or won't work those low paying jobs.

Answer 6

i just like to say im not a retire person but i have work hard all my life and today i see alot of young people dont know what work really is. to be honest alot of young people are really lazy.its how they are raise. if they are given so much in life they dont know what a dollar is. i will say there are some hard working young people out there but i think its more young people that dont want to work. thats why the older people comes in they know what hard work is they been there they done it. the employer knows this thats why he rather get an older person than a younger one because they worked.

Answer 7

I agree. On the flip side - A lot of these older people just want to feel useful and be out with other people. Volunteer work just isn't the same.

Answer 8

I can honestly see your side on this, but are there that many seniors out there who are well off? I'm sure there are a few, but a majority don't have much and have a lot of medical/prescription bills. Or maybe Granny just needs extra bingo money. :)

Answer 9

Because they do the quality of job that young people do not and are more mature at the handling of unexpected situations placing their long experience in business to use for the betterment of the company they work for.They are more knowledgeable and possess greater skills.

Answer 10

Because by the time you are a senior citizen you are old enough and have paid taxes long enough to do whatever you want. And if you want to work a job that you don't "need" then you can.