AIBU to wonder where the women over 50 are in the workforce?

[Waferbiscuit]

I'm over 50 and I've noticed a very obvious trend of women leaving the workforce at around my age. Throughout my 40s I saw many women my age move to part-time, but they were still visible. Now I go into meetings (I attends lots of cross-org plus city-wide/region-wide meetings) and I never see women my age or older.

Anecdotally the four women my age who I worked alongside have all left their roles to do a bit of consultancy work or stop working altogether.

Is it just my sector or is this trend something other people are seeing in their line of work? Are women at 50 leaving the workforce because of caring responsibilities? Of course not all women have caring responsibilities so are they leaving because their other half (if they have a partner) makes more money? Or is the workforce just breaking people, so by 50 women stand up and say 'I've had enough' ??? Genuinely curious.

Same story, didnt get in to civil service til i was 47. First boss was 29

I see a good amount of women over 50 in my role. Many in senior positions and very respected, believe I'm also aware this isn't the norm and it's because it's public sector with often better chances for advancement and with the push to make senior management more diverse women and BAME employees have had better opportunities- which is amazing and has made for a much better culture!

I'm also seeing a lot of effort put into awareness of menopause and the issues women face because of it, where previously a lot have been forced out of the workplace because of menopause symptoms and lack of understanding.

All of this is good for us now, but doesn't make up for those that have already been forced out or burned out.

My friend group are all early thirties, and en masse, about half of us have gone freelance. So far earning as much if not more than in the workplace, but without having to put up with workplace bullshit. That's across a range of professions too - IT, teaching, marketing etc.

For those who've got kids, this is also matched by a significant proportion of the dads taking SPL. None of the families all in "straight" employment seem to be doing so.

So though sadly many women will be worn out by other responsibilities at that age, I don't think that not sticking with careers in employment is a bad thing. For me, it very much means that I'm taking ALL the benefits of my talent for myself, and sharing it with my network of very talented friends.

@Stopsnowing

‘But what gets me, is there is no recognition if the menopause in this, or the fact that older people perform differently from younger people.’

I have been having a hellish menopause. Boss is aware. I have terrible sleep and aches and low energy but I still do my job well, work long hours and am respected by my clients. Despite this I have been told I should look for another job because things will get worse for me ie. I will be performance managed out. I am a lone parent to school
Age children. I want to stay in my job but because I am not ambitious I am being forced out.

Something similar happened to me - my job was restructured out. I think ambition is valued more than experience these days. I had a choice between taking the voluntary early exit package that happened to be on offer or finding another role which at nearly 58 I didn’t really want. I have no regrets about taking early retirement though.

@Jammylodger

Don’t see that in my world (IT) - seeing a lot of 50+ women taking on senior roles, leading organisations, mentoring next gen

Same, also IT.

Those that I know at 50 who are leaving the workforce are doing so happily because they can.

At 35 I don't think I could have imagine a 'retired' life. At 45 I'm dead set for working hard to get me there as fast as possible so I can spend time doing the things I love.

I am not yet at that stage of life but we had a menopause workshop at work the other day. It was noted that one of the main reason for women leaving work at that age is often due to the effects of menopause (brain fog etc making them feel inadequate - even if they are still doing their job perfectly fine ) .... It was noted that more open conversations around menopause and small adjustments could retain the lost talent ...it was very interesting

Menopause is a big factor I think. Symptoms can be crippling and many women are just too exhausted to continue working.
Of course for many giving up work isn’t an option, so they have to struggle on.

I have read the whole thread and count myself very lucky that I love my job, self employed and don't want to retire any time soon . I am in a medical field where my age represents experience and is valued over younger people. I am 50 and so far feeling well and strong...

I think 30 years ago it would not of been the norm for women to be in “professional” roles, I am the first woman in my working class family (early 30s) to have a “professional” job.

All the women in my family stayed home with the kids and then worked part time in retail, hospitality, cleaning and are still there now. I know a lady in her 70s that works in a care home!

Pressed too soon, there really isn’t women in my work place over 50 or in my industry at all, plenty in their 30s and wary 40s - which is amazing and a real positive shift in traditional gender roles

I am 59 - my boss is about my age. We both talk about our dreams of jacking it in though.

I’m a civil servant and if it wasn’t for women aged 50+, the civil service would fall over! As a group, that covers almost all the senior leaders in my area including my department’s Permanent Secretary.

So maybe they’re all here?

Personally I find that really inspiring. I’m 39 and I love being able to see that as I get older my career will continue to challenge and develop me.

There are lots of women over 50 where I work, local council.

DH and I were talking about this last night....He (and I) are both concerned about a potential move at 56 years of age as it would mean finding new senior jobs. We are both very aware (NHS and third sector) that employers are more likely to hire younger more 'dynamic' candidates as they perceive them to have more energy and be more flexible and open to change/leading change... It is a tricky thing...we are lucky in that (currently) we both probably look 5 years younger than we actually are, but god knows if this will remain and I resent having to think that I should try and maintain youthful looks in order to protect my career
Seems to be less of thing for men mind...

I'm 54 and I've noticed there are very few women in my age bracket anywhere I've worked over the last few years.

Whilst my colleagues are lovely I do find it a bit lonely being older. I just don't have a huge amount in common with them. I spend a lot of my time nodding and smiling.

I'm praying that my financial advisor can come up with a dastardly plan so I can at least retire at 60.

As a single mum retiring anytime before 68 would be amazing.

COVID was the final straw of too much responsibility for not enough pay, so I said fuck it and resigned.

No sign of ageism, was snapped up immediately (hadn't even worked my notice). So much happier now - but am invisible as I now work from home.

In early 50s

All my closest friends are working, as I am I

I have a male friend who retired at 56 with no dependants & a healthy personal pension

One of my male colleagues retired at 60, who also had a healthy pension

Most people don't retire until they can afford to, unless they have health issues or caring responsibilities

The 50+ women in my workplace all work part time. All have grown up kids.

@HarrietsChariot

Boomers and early Gen-Xers are more likely to have paid off their mortgage and have plenty of savings by the time they're in their mid-50s, plus some still have final salary pensions. Only an idiot would stay in work if they don't have to.

This. I went part time because I was sick to death of the office politics and bullying and when they want to get rid of me, it isn’t a problem. It is too bad, because I liked the content of my job and did some good I think (university academic), but the working conditions have deteriorated.

There is a noticeable lack of female teachers in their 50s. This age group - experienced and more expensive - is often targeted during the academisation process. I've seen it happen several times. I am in my 40s and will need to keep teaching through my 50s as I'll need the money. I do worry about being "managed out" at some stage or coping if I struggle with the menopause . It's a job where you do need to remember lots of things and be on the ball the whole time.

@Dentistlakes

Menopause is a big factor I think. Symptoms can be crippling and many women are just too exhausted to continue working. Of course for many giving up work isn’t an option, so they have to struggle on.

Yes I realise I am privileged to have been able to give up work at 58. It was however due at least in part to the fact I couldn’t have children so didn’t take any breaks. Every cloud…..

I work in the insurance industry. We are a large team about 2/3 are women. 4 of them are over 50, one is 62 and likely to retire soon. Two are full time, one nearly full time and the other term time. Lots of women over 50 in my workplace.

I'm in my mid 50's and all the women I work with are over 50.

Oh, forgot to add, we all work full-time shift work.