Myths about Older Workers

It is hard to believe that in today’s society a lot of folks feel that becoming older means becoming less productive.  The reason that it is hard to believe is because the population as a whole is getting older. People are taking better care of themselves and living longer and healthier because of it. While obesity is still a problem for everyone no matter how old they are, the concept of eating right and exercising has been given a lot of attention in the media. What is also baffling is the fact that certain ideas or myths about older workers still exist.

Why is that?

Unfortunately some people don’t look at the facts they would rather accept the reasons that aren’t based on facts.  Age discrimination is against the law but that doesn’t stop some companies from working around it.

Common myths about older workers

• Health or bad health is a commonly held perception of older workers, when in fact there isn’t any truth to it. Older workers don’t miss more work due to illness than anybody else.
• They can’t learn new things. Of course this is ridiculous too because your ability to learn doesn’t diminish after the age of 50!
• They would be on the job that because of their age.  Workers of any age change jobs regularly so that isn’t valid either.
• They are difficult to manage.  There isn’t any basis or study for this point of view.

It seems that the general view of older workers is one of lack of flexibility and productivity.  But really there isn’t anything to back up this notion.

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