Age vs Experience - Age Discrimination?

Loopy28

I recently interviewed a 61 year old for a job. My colleague didn't want to take them on due to their age and feeling they wouldn't be committed. I was shocked to say the least, can't believe people have these attitudes.
Fortunately I had the final say and recruited them but it is clear that age discrimination does happen.

tgon

Loopy28 wrote: »

I recently interviewed a 61 year old for a job. My colleague didn't want to take them on due to their age and feeling they wouldn't be committed. I was shocked to say the least, can't believe people have these attitudes.
Fortunately I had the final say and recruited them but it is clear that age discrimination does happen.

Good on you and shame on your colleague!

bartelbe

I can see it from the employers point of view, I worked in a workplace that did employer allot of older more experienced staff and it did cause problems.

Many of them developed chronic health problems, that led to allot of sickness absences. They also struggle to adapt to new working practices, particularly using the IT systems.

It isn't fair, but I can understand why employers would prefer younger staff.

nomoneyme

I am just completing an application form which asks for the date I left full time education. They may as well have asked my date of birth as having already filled in my O and A Level qualifications they will easily be able to work out how old I am. They are also asking for the exact dates for all my previous jobs, any unaccounted for gaps will render the application void, so they will be in no doubt as to how old I am. At the age of 59 I'm wondering if it is worth applying, especially as I can't remember all those dates since 1975. Perhaps that is what they're hoping.