AIBU to ask who will employ us at 60 plus?

[RachelGreep87]

I have made peace with the idea of not being able to retire before 70, if at all, however I don't see much conversation about what I perceive to be rampant ageism in the workplace.

I am struggling to think of anyone above the age of 55 in my workplace - private sector, professional services. Perhaps they have been fortunate enough to already retire but this seems unlikely, have also heard blatant ageist comments in the workplace as well.

AIBU to ask how we will find jobs after 60 even if we are happy to continue working?

YABU - Society will have to adapt and workers in their later years will be valued more than they are today
YANBU - Society will remain ageist, people will be screwed as they will be unable to find work but will not be able to afford retirement

At my school our problem is that almost all the teachers are over 50, which is OK but they can be a bit set in their ways/prone to harking back to the good old days. We've had two retirements this summer, aged 66 & 67.

The SLT is mostly over 55 and this is a problem imo. They've go not plans to move on, but also no desire to drive the school forward.

It presumably depends on sector/ company. My dad's still working in his mid sixties, and is very much valued by his company. He must have been at least in his mid fifties when he started with them, so this isn't a case of rewarding long service. But it is a sector where experience is important, and a company who recognise that.

I think it will be very hard for anyone who's in a sector that requires physical skills. I wouldn't fancy being a builder or a carer at 70, I don't think.

Plenty of 60+ year old where I work (insurance). Just in my team of 10 people there's 2 men in their 60s, a 67 year old woman, and also a woman in her late 50s. Being in your 60s isn't as old as it used to be.

That sounds like a tribunal win to me

My Mum has just turned 70 and her management are desperate to keep her working at her retail job. She’s the most reliable who is flexible enough to support those who have time off for sickness or children! She loves working still and she is not taking the place that a younger person “should “as the staff turnover is high and they are always short handed.

My relative went to work in a supermarket after retiring from teaching. Still there 20 years later at 70.

I think that society will remain fairly ageist towards older women, less so older men - as now.

I don’t think the lack of older women in some work places is simply ageism - we’re still seeing a generation in more two-parent families, with better pensions even from part time work, some leaving - or not returning - to look after parents, low remaining mortgages to make stopping early more affordable.

In future, with an ageing population, employers will gradually have no choice but to employ older people. I predict that NMW type jobs that require more fitness (like warehouse staff) will increase their pay to secure the lower number of younger workers. The pay in front line call centres where you can sit down will gradually get more older people, with lower pay.

Motivation to hit the gym and keep fit then I guess

Try the NHS, there's loads of us!! I know a health care assistant who is 70 and still doing the physical tasks necessary often with patients younger than her! I think the physical nature of the work actually keeps you fit for longer. Many do retire and return so they can work the hours that suit them. I'm over 60 did retire but was asked to return to help out as there is such a shortage of my profession that there are always vacancies that can't be filled and I was getting bored in retirement so did. Older workers are actually a very useful resource, we are not going to need maternity leave, carers leave when children are sick, time off in school holidays ect.

In my team of seven I am by far the oldest (I would say by at least 20 years). I'm also the one with least sick leave, and one of three who haven't needed time off for childcare reasons in the last six months (the other two being a single male and a female who joined the team less than two months ago).

So right. I was a carer for my parents until recently so I have no recent references which means that I can't get any work in spite of my qualfications. It's like you suddenly become invisible.

Some businesses think that someone 55+ doesn’t have the capacity to learn new things, or might be a bit slower than someone younger. But when you see people like Biden as President at 79 running the USA, and our own last two prime ministers running the country at 62 (Theresa May) and 58 (Boris), it’s clear that older people are very capable at coping with extreme pressures at both a mental and physical level. I work in a team at a bank mostly in their 50’s, and they are the most efficient and pleasant people I’ve worked with in my career.

A lot of lawyers do part time work well into their 70s.
I'm in academia, in a "junior" level role. Most my colleagues are my age (mid 50s) or older. I think I'm about median age.

I am in exactly the same position as the OP. It’s a huge worry for me. I am late 40s and in my job (professional services) everyone is young. I will need to work in my 60s but can’t imagine I will be able to continue doing the same role.

Because of the nature of the role or the culture of the sector?

As a teacher I really worry about this. Late 40s and already feel very old in my school. Need the money, so as much as I'd love to change job I can't see what there is that I can do that still pays the bills. My mortgage is big and my children are young!

On the railways I've seen people taken on for driving in their early 50s. Clearly the company thinks that they'll recoup the (substantial) training outlay. Some do carry on into their 70s though because they want to, they don't need the money, they just like the job.

I'm working in tech area, in 50s, and by far the oldest person in the organization. I'm often involved in hiring and interviews, and I even find myself more inclined to recommend younger people rather than older people. And this is a company that prides itself on diversity, says (and often does) all the right things, etc.

It varies by industry of course, but sadly can't imagine me being re-hired in my 60s by another company!

You fight.you don't just accept

People of 60 plus will be hired when they are the least worst option for whom ever is hiring!

My DM has just retired at the age of 73, was doing admin in an office, so I imagine that sort of role could work for some people. She's not super fit or anything but her health is pretty good.

We are used to it being the norm that there were more people seeking work than there were roles needing to be filled. The tables are turning and there is a now shortage of young people who are fit enough to work and who have the skills required. Employers may prefer younger workers but if there aren't enough to go around they will have to take what they can get.