Retirement can mean something different to many people. It can be bad because of the change in their routine and habits or it can be good if they adjust and have a good income. Early retirement would not even be a possibility for someone who does not have sufficient income coming in. Many of these people would probably keep working after retirement. As the years go by it seems that more and more companies are encouraging employees to retire before the age of 65 (Hillier & Barrow, 2011). Companies began encouraging this because they wanted to reduce their payrolls while avoiding layoffs as well. Some companies are having their doubts about this now, they believe older workers have a stronger work ethic than young workers. Not only older employees, but a lot of people around them see it as discrimination when they are suggested early retirement. Even though there is a law against age discrimination people always try to find ways or reasons to fire or not hire older people. Many older people have a desire to keep working after they retire or they simply cannot afford to retire because of insufficient income. Whether it is on the job that the employer tries to get someone to retire or on the job search that the employer does not take a second look at an older person it is all discrimination.
There are many myths of older workers such as lack of drive and ideas, that they do not produce as much, and they lack physical strength. Therefore many employers believe these myths while age does not necessarily determine the capacity to do well on the job.
Hillier, S. & Barrow, G. (2011). Aging, the individual, and society. (9th ed., pp. 3-28) California: WADSWORTH.
Flor, I agree that many companies are encouraging employees before the age of 65 as a way to reduce their payroll while avoided layoffs. Another reason could be that companies feel liable for employees and as they age, they think that there will be more health problems with the people. This reason creates a problem between the company and the employees because they want to hire new employees and fire the ones that are reaching the retirement age. Another reason is that older employees have more experience and knowledge than recent graduates therefore they will cost more than new employees. All of these reasons including the reasons that you mentioned in the blog are reasons to discriminate against the aging population in the workplace. Management is finding ways to fire older employees so they cannot receive their retirement which creates a problem not only for the employee but for the company as well.
ReplyDeleteI believe in all facets as long as the individual is physically healthy enough to continue working I believe this helps to extend the life and the quality of life an individual can try to have later on in life after maybe the first retirement. AS they say with exercises if you do not use it you will lose it and I believe that goes along with many other aspect of life. Thanks for sharing!
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