Summary:
Figures suggest that unemployment levels are stable. There are concerns that the youngest generation will become ‘the lost generation’, but a variety of incentives must prevent this from happening. Several organizations have expressed their concern, however, about unemployed of fifty years and older. Employers are unwilling to hire an older employee for a number of reasons, which is why the number of over-50 unemployed that has been out of a job, has risen to almost 50%. Only two years ago this figures was around 30%. The majority of elder jobseekers thinks they are considered too old while almost half of them believe employers see them as too experienced or too expensive.Reaction:
Being unemployed is always unpleasant, no matter which age you are. Every time you receive a letter of rejection, a little bit of your self-esteem is being cut off. When you are young it is because of lack of experience and when you are older companies might fear health issues or unfamiliarity with new technology. That is the climate now and I wonder how this fits the plans of the Government to extend a person’s working life. When employers are unwilling to hire a fifty-five year old, what are the changes these employers will recruit sixty-five year olds in the future? 
It is tragic that employers often reject older people for employment. This has happened in the early years, but it still happens nowadays. Of course, it is comprehensible that they might fear for illness and unfamiliarity of new technology, but I think it should be worth trying to give these people a chance. Wouldn't it be a perfect solution to give them a short period of six months to convince the employer that they are still able to do the same work as the younger ones do?
BeantwoordenVerwijderenRegards, Lydia