50-somethings

Why Don’t Folks Like to Work
With 50-somethings?

After losing his last prestigious, lucrative job, Writes-A-Roni paid good money for the services of an executive marketing agency to help him find a new, comparable position. After reviewing his background, which included a record of steady career growth and solid achievement, the executive marketing coach offered this: “You’re over 50. You’re going to have a tough time now.”
That observation turned out to be correct. If you have an opinion, experience or relevant information about why older workers are unwelcome in today’s job market, please register and enter your comments below.

9 Reasons Why People Don't Like to Work with 50-somethings
  1. Because they scratch their balding heads and mutter something incoherent when the 30-something HR interviewer asks the geezers how they define themselves as a whole person.
    • - Andre Easter
  2. I remember being a young art director at a small design studio in DC. Everyone on staff was between the ages of 25 and 35. We needed an office manager, and the boss--also in his early 30's-- surprised everyone by hiring an"older woman" who was probably 55. We tried to like her, really we did, but she was such a drag! She wore "work clothes" and high heels while we all wore jeans and running shoes or sandals. She wore lots of makeup and brought her lunch each day, eating at her desk for exactly 45 minutes, while we ordered pizza or went out together in two's and three's. She was very efficient, but brought everyone down, mostly because when we looked at her, we saw our future selves. That was the real reason she was fired. Who wants to stand around the water cooler with the Grim Reaper?
    • - andrearouda, Creative, Self-Employed Professional, 60-something
  3. Older workers command higher salaries. Why pay when you can get something almost as good for cheap? Younger workers are more enthusiastic and committed. They work long hours and do so eagerly. As a 52 year old, I'm just doing the minimum and trying to see what I can get away with!
    • - Wendy, Architecture, Marketing, Middle Management, 50-something
  4. Because they can appear arrogant, as if they think they know it all.
    • - Hilda, Human Resources, Middle Management, 60-something
  5. Because they don't want to adapt to change.
    • - morrisryanc
  6. Because they're too sensitive. C'mon, get over it, man. Nobody has a good job nowadays!
    • - WandaB, Marketing, Middle Management, 40-something
  7. Because 50-somethings tend not to participate in Friday evening happy hours, but when they do, oy vey!
    • - Joshua
  8. Because they have hair growing in places where it ought not to grow and often no hair where it should be.
    • - Vijay
  9. Because younger employees are sometimes jealous of experience.
    • - Robert