AGE AND WORK
Question: What travels faster than the speed of light. Answer: Thought.
Is it necessary to retire if you are enjoying your work? It reminds me of the science fiction film Logan's Run in 1976 based on George Clayton Johnson's novel.
A brief summary of the plot is that in the year
2274. Some type of holocaust has decimated the earth, and the survivors sealed
themselves into a domed city near Washington, D.C. To maintain the population balance, the
computers that run the city have decreed that all people must die at 30. This system is
enforced by sandmen: black-clad police operatives who terminate (kill) runners (those who
attempt to live beyond 30).
Logan, a sandman, is sent on a mission to find "sanctuary," which is a code-word used by the master computer to describe what it believes is a place to which runners such as Jessica has been escaping to. Logan begins to question the system he serves and after seeing for himself that there is life beyond the dome, he returns to destroy the computer.
In today's society by the time of one's 45th year it is considered to be the HR norm to retire you out of the workforce or made redundant for younger workers. Most people are forced to retire for no reason except age when they still have vitality to offer employers. I have learnt more from elders about their historic lives and experiences that I could possibly have known from someone who has only just began gaining knowledge of employment.
Society still has a problem with a mature employee. Although it doesn't seem to matter the same when that employee happens to be the Chairman or CEO working experience even at the same age, The Generation Game perhaps?
These stereotypes tends to link age with what the body can and can't do, if that goes its assumed so does the mind.
As stated companies "...in difficult times find it easier to persuade older employees to take up early retirement than making younger staff redundant...". (1) Many employees discriminate against applicants purely on the criteria of age. It found in one conducted survey at least 55% of managers use age as a recruitment criteria and a majority have no intention of changing this out-moded policy.
Work is treated as an objective rather than a more satisfying career at any age. There is no logical reason why if someone is healthy in mind that they have to state their age on an application form which has no bearing or relevance to the work itself?
This wastes alot of human knowledge, as these employees have a better insight into the dynamics of the corporation than any other age-group. There is still the assumption the new skills which emerge that a lack keeness from the elder employees who can adapt to this new system.
As stated in an article "...experience and wisdom are not widely recognised virtues...".(2) Nothing could be further from the truth. They are now known as the "Silver-Surfers" of the internet and are embracing the technology at a much faster rate. They show more willingness and enthusiasm to gaining further knowledge than their younger colleagues because of self-discipline in how they carry out their responsibilities with due care.
As George Eliot said "it is never too late to be the person you could have been". Age shouldn't be a factor in what can be achieved in anyone's working life. For example, in the USA there are about 255,000 women between the ages of 70s and even up to 90 years of age employed or actively seeking employment. (3) As one 86 year old working woman said "Work gives life that extra dimension" and another 100 year old woman said "I am free to do as I please, and I believe I still have lots to contribute." (4)
Also in regards to age and work, attitudes has changed between those born from 1963 and 1977, they are the Generation X'ers who are flexible, techno-literate, entrepreneurial and in great demand. Somehow I don't think with the resources and experience they bring to the workplace they'd want to retire early from employment and no doubt would find some other endeavour because they "are less arrogant and have a free-agent mindset as an unstoppable force in a free employment marketplace". (5)
As Prince Charles of Great Britain, the Prince of Wales who has inspired a scheme which shows what can be achieved. This was due to the fact he noted that he received more letters in his post-bag requesting an organisation like the Prince's Trust for older people.
The scheme is to assist the over-50's to become entrepeneurs and called "Prime". For whilst age can be against elder employees in the workplace, it can be an advantage when seeking advice and money to start a business because of greater professionalism, better contacts, secure finances and are seen as more trustworthy and reliable.
REFERENCE SOURCES:
(1) Evening Standard newspaper, 15th May 2000, page 46.
(2) The Guardian newspaper, Media Section, page 5, 5th July 1999.
(3) Working Woman Magazine, page 54-59, issue October 1999.
(4) Working Woman Magazine, page 22-23, issue January 2000.
(5) Evening Standard newspaper, Just the Job section, page 7, 13th March 2000.
(6) Executive PA Magazine, Golden Years - Big Business, page 39, Autumn 1999.
(7) The Times Cr
eme, page 7, 19th January 2000.WEBLINK SOURCE:
Ageism and Employment Information