There are many misconceptions about the efficiency of older workers: they are inflexible, lack energy, do not keep up with the latest developments in high-technology, cost more to employ, are more subject to ill health, are less productive. These misconceptions, even when unfounded, lead to discrimination against older people in employment. While it is true that, in many countries, employer contributions to social security are higher for older than for younger workers, giving rise to the assumption that older workers are less cost-effective than younger ones, research shows that training older workers is often more cost-effective than training younger ones, because the older workers are more receptive and attentive.
Discrimination against older workers can take many forms. In some countries, where decreasing numbers of young people are coming into the job market, companies are recruiting older people, but generally for part-time, or second class jobs: this is a more sophisticated form of discrimination.
2. Age is seldom an asset at work. Even if you are the most creative, innovative and educated person around, you are plagued by the stereotype of the inflexible, out-dated and sickly older worker.
2. Older people do not lose their jobs because of their age, but because of legitimate efforts to reduce costs through job cuts in general, which inevitably affect the large number of workers over 40.