Older Workers: Myth or Fact?

By Joyce Remy

With a large group of Baby Boomers on the verge of retirement, the U.S. is poised to face a worker shortage within the decade. Older workers, who have sometimes faced difficulty competing with younger job applicants, are expected to help fill the employment rolls.

But myths and stereotypes abound when it comes to older workers mistaken ideas that can stand between an employer and the best person for the job. Take this quiz to test your knowledge about seniors in the workplace.

True or False?

1. By the year 2020, 1 in 5 American workers will be over 55.
   
   
2. Training older employees is a wasted investment, because they will only be on the job a few more years.
   
   
3. These days, when people retire, they are less likely to want to completely stop doing paid work.
   
   
4. Older workers aren't as productive as younger workers.
   
   
5. Older workers take off more sick days.
   
   
6. Older workers are less likely to jump from job to job.
   
   
7. Older workers don't learn new skills as quickly as their younger counterparts.
   
   
8. As they age, employees remain equally adaptable to change.
   
   
9. Older workers must take off more time for family responsibilities than younger people.
   
   
10. If an older adult suspects he or she has been terminated on grounds of age, there is recourse through the law.

Answers to "Older Workers: Myth or Fact?"

1. By the year 2020, 1 in 5 American workers will be over 55.

True. According to the Bureau of Labor, even in this decade, the percentage of older workers will rise by 10 percent.

2. Training older employees is a wasted investment, because they will only be on the job a few more years.

False. For example, if a 55-year-old employee is given technical training, the technology will likely be outmoded long before the employee retires. And with people retiring later and later, equipping mature employees with skill upgrades makes sense.

3. These days, when people retire, they are less likely to want to completely stop doing paid work.

True. Many older workers through economic necessity or preference choose "phased retirement," cutting back on hours gradually or seasonally. According to a recent study by Rutgers University, seven out of ten American workers plan to continue work past the traditional age of retirement.

4. Older workers aren't as productive as younger workers.

False. Productivity tends to rise as workers grow older, due to their increased experience, dependability and judgment.

5. Older workers take off more sick days.

False. According to a recent study, workers over 45 call in sick an average of 3.1 days per year, compared to workers aged 17-44, who take an average of 3.8 days. In addition, mature employees are less likely to be injured on the job.

6. Older workers are less likely to jump from job to job.

True. Younger workers are more likely to leave an employer for another position, making older adults a statistically better bet when it comes to investing in training.

7. Older workers don't learn new skills as quickly as their younger counterparts.

False. The old clich of "you can't teach an old dog new tricks" is just that a stereotype. Though a small percentage of older adults do experience significant loss of cognitive function, most older adults are able to apply their greater experience and wisdom to learn new skills quickly. 

8. As they age, employees remain equally adaptable to change.

True. While older adults are more likely to question a change, they are equally adaptable once they realize the reason for the change. Older adults therefore offer the wisdom gained from learning by their or their company's mistakes.

9. Older workers must take off more time for family responsibilities than younger people.

False. While some older adults have family caregiving responsibilities, on average, younger adults request more time off, for children's illnesses, appointments, school events, etc.

10. If an older adult suspects her or she has been terminated on grounds of age, there is recourse through the law.

True. The Age Discrimination Employment Act of 1967 prohibits discrimination against a person because of "his/her age with respect to any term, condition, or privilege of employment, including hiring, firing, promotion, layoff, compensation, benefits, job assignments, and training."

For More Information...

See "Links You Can Use" for more online resources of interest to older workers and their companies or potential employers.

2005 Caresource Healthcare Communications

Photo: USDA