Age bias persists in the workplace

By MARVIN WALBERG
Scripps Howard News Service
Thursday, October 18, 2007

Once again I address the subject of age bias in the workplace, for the benefit of experienced older job seekers and ill-informed or inexperienced hiring authorities.

Experience Works, the nation's largest provider of training and employment services for older workers, announced the results of its survey of more than 300 outstanding older workers from the past 6 years. The results of the survey were shared at a briefing by Dr. James Grosch, senior research psychologist from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

The survey, conducted by Experience Works and analyzed by NIOSH, contains a powerful endorsement of the importance of training as a way to encourage older people to enter or re-enter the workforce. Cynthia A. Metzler, president and CEO of Experience Works said, "Nearly 70 percent of those surveyed said that if we want more older people in the workplace, we need to encourage companies to provide more training for seniors."

Unfortunately, more than half of the seniors surveyed felt that there is still significant age discrimination in the workplace and about a third felt that the most important barrier keeping older workers from finding jobs is that employers think older people can't learn new skills.

"It is very significant and sad that our outstanding older workers, people with multiple careers and tremendous accomplishments, comment that these myths and negative stereotypes are still prevalent among employers," said Metzler. "The fact is, many older people learn differently, but they retain new skills better and they are more reliable and dedicated than younger workers."

"The demographic trends are clear," said Grosch. "The aging population is going to force employers to look to the labor pool of older people to satisfy them employment needs. Companies that recognize that older people bring many talents and capabilities to the workplace, and find ways to attract them will have a competitive edge."

The briefing was part of Experience Works' Prime Time Awards Program that seeks to remove barriers to employment and lessen negative stereotypes about older workers. The program is funded entirely by donations and sponsorships. For more information, log on to www.experienceworks.org.

Older job seekers, sell your accomplishments, experience, maturity, your energy, and your ability to learn and change!

Marvin Walberg is a job search coach. Contact him at mwalberg(at)bellsouth.net, marvinwalberg.blogspot.com, or PO Box 43056, Birmingham, AL 35243.