Over 57 and looking for work? Forget it, say HR managers

Millions of workers aged 57 and over in the UK are being overlooked for job opportunities, as employers increasingly consider this age ‘too old’ to hire, according to a new poll. The survey, conducted by Totaljobs, claims that a third of people over 50 worry they will struggle to find work due to age discrimination, with one in seven reporting being rejected for jobs because of their age. The study suggests that two-fifths of HR decision-makers have faced pressure to hire younger candidates, placing older workers at a disadvantage when looking for work. In response, more than a fifth of over-50s have chosen to omit their age from their CVs, while a quarter hesitate to apply for roles, fearing potential bias.

Totaljobs’ report, titled The Age Advantage: Overcoming Age Bias to Hire Experienced Talent, claims to shed light on the economic impact of this issue. In England and Wales, 4.2 million people, contributing £138 billion in economic output, risk being sidelined due to ageism in the hiring process. Despite a significant skills shortage in the UK, the findings suggest that many older workers feel discouraged from seeking new jobs. A quarter of over-50s refrain from applying for positions, with this figure rising to 28 percent among women and 42 percent among Black workers. This is in stark contrast to the willingness of over a third of workers to remain in employment beyond the state retirement age.

Natalie Matalon, Chief People Officer at Totaljobs, emphasised the importance of embracing the experience of older workers in the face of increasing economic inactivity. She said: “Our ageing population means the workforce is naturally evolving. Those who embrace the experience and diverse perspectives of older workers will be better positioned to support younger workers and address talent shortages.”

Discrimination during recruitment remains a pressing issue. The research found that nearly 60 percent of HR decision-makers admit to making assumptions about candidates based on age, and 42 percent have felt pressured to prioritise younger candidates. Almost half of HR professionals also believe age influences how well a candidate would fit culturally within their organisation.

Older job seekers report facing various challenges during the hiring process. Twenty percent have been subjected to inappropriate age-related questions, 22 percent were asked about their health or physical abilities, 26 percent felt assumptions were made about their ability to handle new technology, and nearly one-third sensed a workplace culture that favoured younger applicants.

In response to these difficulties, many older workers are hiding their age when applying for roles. Around 22 percent have removed their age from their CVs, with nearly half doing so to avoid being stereotyped.

Totaljobs has partnered with Professor Sarah Vickerstaff from the University of Kent to offer practical solutions to employers. Professor Vickerstaff noted that while many older workers are eager to continue working, they face significant barriers, including the perception that they are too old for available roles. She argued that harnessing the potential of an age-diverse workforce could benefit both individuals and society.

Matalon added that businesses can take steps to tackle age bias in recruitment. “Whether it’s using AI to detect biased language in job adverts, forming age-diverse hiring panels, or shifting from ‘cultural fit’ to ‘cultural add’ when assessing candidates, there are many positive steps businesses can take,” she said. “Those who act now will gain access to a broader, more experienced talent pool and foster greater workplace diversity.”

The report calls for employers to recognise the value of experienced workers and implement more inclusive recruitment practices to combat age-related discrimination.