A 60-year-old man from Berkshire, Bill Howell, shares his struggles finding employment due to ageism, highlighting the prevalent problem in the UK. He describes facing job rejections, age-related jokes during interviews, and being told younger candidates are a better fit. His experience mirrors a worrying trend revealed by campaigners, who cite a significant portion of the UK population holding ageist views about older workers. The Centre for Ageing Better reports that many people believe older workers are less competent and adaptable, hindering their ability to secure employment and enjoy a secure retirement.
Bill Howell, a 60-year-old from Berkshire, faces the daunting prospect of downsizing due to persistent struggles in finding employment. He shares his experience of ageist treatment throughout his career, highlighting the challenges he's faced since his late thirties in securing career advancements. Howell notes that the technology industry's constant evolution, marked by mergers and acquisitions, often left senior employees, including himself, vulnerable to redundancies.
He recounts the increasing difficulty in securing new roles after his mid-forties, facing numerous rejections and instances of being ghosted by both agencies and employers.Howell's concerns are echoed by a worrying trend revealed by campaigners: a significant portion of the UK population still harbors ageist myths about older workers, perceiving them as less competent and valuable. The Centre for Ageing Better reports that 24 percent of people believe employing someone over 50 is not financially sound due to perceived slowness and inability to adapt. Furthermore, 22 percent believe providing in-job training to workers over 50 is wasteful, assuming they won't remain in their roles for long.Adding to the picture, 32 percent of the public holds the belief that technological competency diminishes with age. Howell cites several instances of ageism he's encountered, including a marked increase in application rejections since his forties, age-related jokes during recruitment processes, and direct statements asserting that a younger person would be a better fit for team dynamics. He observes a noticeable decrease in employer interest once his age becomes apparent during face-to-face recruitment stages. Howell expresses concern that the couple's varied and often reduced incomes, coupled with limited company pensions and disposable income, make planning for a secure retirement unlikely. He fears they might be forced to downsize, sacrificing their hobbies and interests as a result.Dr. Carole Easton OBE, Chief Executive at the Centre for Ageing Better, emphasizes the dispiriting nature of these persistent attitudes, highlighting the potential of older workers to address skills shortages, contribute to business growth, and bolster the national economy. She expresses concern that ageist attitudes are prevalent among highly educated individuals, those most likely to make decisions regarding hiring, promotion, and employee development. Easton underscores the detrimental impact of ageism on older workers, making them less likely to receive in-work training, more susceptible to redundancy, and facing greater difficulties in finding employment. She proposes that by recognizing and challenging ageism in the workplace, employers can shift their attitudes towards older workers and empower everyone to reach their full potential in later life.Howell believes that tackling ageism in the UK is crucial to prevent more people from falling into poverty. He points out that many older individuals are eager to work but struggle to find employment due to prevailing perceptions. Recognizing the deep-rooted nature of the issue, he acknowledges the difficulty in proving age-based bias. Howell advocates for a return to respecting older individuals and their contributions, a value he believes was once prevalent in the UK but has diminished over time. He encourages businesses and individuals to reconsider their attitudes towards older workers and acknowledge their potential
AGEISM EMPLOYMENT RETIREMENT WORKFORCE UK
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