Myths and Facts about Mature Workers: Part II

Why are some employers reluctant to hire older workers? A number of myths regarding mature workers prevail in the job marketplace. Here’s the second of two installments on these fallacies and the actual facts:


Myth #6: Mature Workers are Less Intelligent

Studies clearly indicate that perception, emotional stability, motivation and fund of knowledge are far more important to intellectual functioning than age. In fact, the ability to use an accumulated body of general information to make sound judgment and solve problems keeps rising with healthy people. (Harvard study.)

Myth #7: Older Workers have Poor Memories

Older people don’t have poorer memories, they just have more to remember than their juniors. Age related declines are slight – often limited to such minor items as phone numbers.

Myth #8: Mature Workers are Less Adaptable-Don’t Learn as Well

People who stay engaged in life, continue to adapt and learn. California State University compared the grades of students age 18 to 25 and others aged 49 to 72. There were no significant differences in the grades. In fact, the only difference was that the older people completed the learning experience at a significantly higher rate.

Myth #9: Older Workers are More Expensive to Employ

The hardest myth to debunk. For example, health insurance costs less for a 55 year old employee than for a 35 year old with 2 dependents. And, it is time for employers to realize that the only way for compensation to go is not “up” but, in today’s economy, compensation needs to be market-driven at any age.

Myth #10: Older Workers are Technology Challenged

This is true from the standpoint that younger employees have grown up in a technology driven society, but studies show that the fastest growing group of Internet users are 55 years of age and up. All that’s needed is a little amount of focused education.

Its time for companies to dismiss these and other myths about employing older workers and take full advantage of an excellent resource for the skills and talents needed for organizations to succeed in the highly competitive marketplace.

Brad Taft
The Voice of the Mature Workforce
Co-Author, Boom or Bust!: New Career Strategies in a New America
www.AgelessInAmerica.com

Myths and Facts about Mature Workers

Why are some employers reluctant to hire older workers? A number of myths regarding mature workers prevail in the job marketplace. Here’s the first of two installments on these fallacies and the actual facts:

Myth #1: Mature Workers are Less Productive
According to the Department of Labor, employees in their late 50’s and 60’s are more conscientious and hard working than younger workers.

Myth #2: Older Workers are Sick More Often
According to the American Council of Life Insurance, workers 45 and older call in sick an average of 3.1 days per year compared to an average of 3.8 days for those 17-44.

Myth #3: Mature Workers are More Likely to Leave Employers
The opposite is true. In fact, according to the National Association of Working Women, women over 45 are 88% less likely to leave voluntarily than younger counterparts.

Myth #4: Older Workers are Less Competent
According to the Andrus Gerontology Center, the average age of candidates for top positions has increased steadily over the past 15 years.

Myth #5: Mature Workers are Less Capable of Making Decisions
Utter nonsense. Studies prove that older employees are actually more capable of evaluating decisions than younger employees. However, they usually take a little longer because experience has taught them the wisdom of caution.

What prejudices do you have regarding older workers? I’ll explore more myths in my next blog. For a free report on 10 Myths and 10 Facts About Mature Workers, go to www.AgelessInAmerica.com. Brad Taft