Age old prejudices

Since the Age Discrimination laws came into effect recruiters have been avoiding the use of age suggestive wording, such as "dynamic" in recruitment adverts.  eras Ltd (a consultancy specialising in psychometrics) recently conducted a survey into some of the assumptions made about age and motivation at work.  Through the use of their personality profiling products they carried out a study covering 2,360 employees aged between 16 and 65.  Their results showed that these assumptions about personality and age are exaggerated or incorrect.

Some of the key findings were:

• The idea that the will to achieve is the sole preserve of young employees (leading in many cases to the removal of words like 'ambitious' and 'dynamic' from job advertisements) seems unsupported by the evidence.
• People get more willing to take on fresh responsibility as they get older, peaking at around 55. Older employees particularly like to manage others and to pass on their experience and skills.
• It is true that younger employees are more comfortable with new technology and, at least up until around 35, willing to take on work which is unduly challenging or unpleasant, but this does not make older employees less ambitious or dynamic.
• Despite younger people moving around from job to job more than ever before, they value job security as much as older people.
• As for a good balance between work and home life, this seems to show no distinct age tends at all - it's purely a matter of individual preference.

There is a PowerPoint presentation with complete findings (and - I have to be honest - some very strange graphics!) available from Dawn Taylor at eras. You can call her on 01379 647817 or contact by email.

I thought it was a very interesting study which I'm recommending to all recruiters who are having trouble shifting some of their stereotypical views on employees of certain ages.