Employers reluctant to hire older workers

A new survey has revealed that businesses are more likely to bring on younger talent than hire older workers.

According to the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) report, of the 1,000+ managers surveyed, 74% said they are open to hiring younger workers aged between 18 and 34.

However, this figure drops to 42% when considering taking on those aged between 50 and 64. One in five said they would not hire those aged 65 at all.

Responding to the CMI survey, Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) Director of Campaigns, Shazia Ejaz, said, “It is disappointing that so many hirers in larger and smaller organisations are reluctant to take on older workers.

“Chancellor Jeremy Hunt was right to say that Britain needs older workers to return to the workforce. The truth for the businesses surveyed is that they and the economy cannot afford to lose the career experience, skillset and seasoned judgement of older workers in such a tight labour market.

“The CMI survey results show that the government and businesses need to work harder to ensure older workers are being encouraged to stay in the labour market and to get into work.

“Recruiters have the skills to help older workers access work or transition into new careers as over 50s are generally less likely to be seeking work through Job Centre Plus. There are lots of vacancies out there for older workers to be doing so they should not get too discouraged by these findings.”

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