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WHY I LIKE WORKING WITH OLDER PEOPLE
Why I like Working with Older People
BLOGGER: LAURA TRAYOR
My boss is a 74-year old woman who is by far, the best manager I’ve had in my 20+ year career. She’s curious, energetic, charismatic and above all, connected. She’s the antithesis to prevailing aging stereotypes that depict older workers as those who tire too easily, get sick often, or are just too rigid or slow for a fast paced workplace.
Not only is my boss an older person, but so too are most of the people I routinely work with. They’re all 50+ and many are in their 60s and 70s. I consider myself fortunate to work with such an interesting and inspiring group of people, which is why I’m always perplexed when I read about the difficulties older people face when looking for a new job or re-entering the workforce. I recently came across a press release from the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) that featured findings from a public hearing on developments (widespread layoffs, threats to benefits) under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act. Expert panelists testified about “conscious and unconscious aging stereotypes” that cause employers to undervalue the contributions older workers make to their organization. Moreover, because of these stereotypes, older workers are targeted disproportionately during workforce reductions. (http://www.eeoc.gov/press/7-15-09.html.).
I think hiring and HR managers have it all wrong. There’s a lot to be said for the experience that comes from lives lived. Like the following:
- High powered connections – my boss can pick up the phone and reach government officials or executives at leading health care organizations;
- Appreciation that time is an important commodity that should not be wasted in meaningless meetings;
- Willingness to take risks because they can handle rejection and are past caring about what other people think (did you know over the past decade or so, the highest rate of entrepreneurial activity is among those 50+? Check out this report: http://www.globalaging.org/health/us/2009/entrepreneurship.pdf);
- Ability to follow through on their word – older workers are incredibly dependable;
- Perspective – will the world really come to an end if you miss a deadline?
So my advice to any hiring managers reading this blog is to think twice the next time a “seasoned” resume or older job applicant comes your way. Cast aside those ageist stereotypes and focus instead on the valuable skills and experience this person can bring to both your organization – and your life.
Laura Traynor is a project manager with The Transition Network, a growing non-profit organization for women 50+. Together with her boss, Charlotte Frank, she manages the Caring Collaborative, an innovative program of strategic assistance offered by friends and neighbors to help women effectively handle emerging health issues ( www.ttncaringcollaborative.org ).
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Tags: aging, boomer, economy, imagineage, job, midlife, older adults, senior, supervisor, transition network, work
I really enjoyed your post!
Back in the early 80’s I had a conversation with a senior executive of one of the nation’s largest financial institutions and as one would expect in those days he was in his 60’s. During our conversation he warned that America was on the road to collapse because of the increasing costs associated with healthcare and retirement benefits. Senior personnel in a growing number of companies are being replaced at an alarming rate by younger college graduates that have some knowledge but lack the ability and insight gained through experience. He went on to say something like “each rung on the ladder of success is important – if you skip a few rungs you change the balance of business”. The insurance/healthcare industry is forcing companies to skip rungs.
Well here I am in the early 2000’s. I am now 60 and have been on my share of job interviews over the past few years and can say that I am very surprised to see such a large number of hiring and company managers who in their 20’s and are vey uncomfortable interviewing an older applicant and appear to be reluctant to consider applicants who are not within the optimum age & health guidelines set by their insurance provider.
It seems to me that it is not the hiring or HR managers who are to blame it’s the insurance and healthcare industry who dictates who can be hired with a formula of 25 to 35 years of age, no personal or family health issues, weight, non-smoker, etc. This type of formula makes it very difficult for hiring managers to select candidates based on abilities, experience, work ethic, and how much they can add to the growth of the company.
I think it’s time for American business and work force to dictate cost formulas to the insurance and healthcare industry.
Larry
Mike left a message about this on my facebook account:
Great article, and not just because I’m 68 years young chronologically. There’s a very large group of us “geezers” who are energetically and totally engaged in life, who don’t really notice that we are growing older (except for the grey hair), often despite health problems that in some cases are very serious.
Larry – thanks so much for your thoughtful response! I can’t necessarily speak to the formulas that guide company hiring policies but have no doubt that health insurance factors into their decisions. However, your comments speak to ageist policies at play since both insurers and companies are generalizing about the health and well being of people based on their age. As Mike points out in his post, a 60 year old today may be as healthy or healthier than his 30-year old counterpart. I know that most of the people I work with (50+) are really healthy – they exercise (ie. pilates, swimming), are socially engaged and take time to become better educated health consumers.
I’d personnally like to see older people become more vocal about ageist policies. You’re a huge demographic group with lots of political muscle – start excercising it
.
Your 74 year old boss is so inspiring. I’d love to hear more about her. Would she be willing to share her experience in another article? Maybe 10 tips she has learned over the years.
Hi Arsen – Yes, she is inspiring! Let me check with her regarding another article. Can you tell me a little bit about your blog or publication?