Companies are increasingly working with older employees because of the tightness on the labor market. “Candidates are viewed much more broadly. It really is a huge difference with a few years ago,” says labor market expert Rob Witjes of the UWV.
In April of this year, there were 96,000 unemployed people over the age of 45, according to figures from Statistics Netherlands. In 2015 there were still 290,000. More and more older unemployed people are therefore finding their way to the labor market. In the past, companies were hesitant and preferred to choose younger candidates to fill their vacancies.
In recent years, there have been several initiatives to remove prejudices about older workers. Workshops, conferences, training courses and meetings: all to no avail. Even former footballer John de Wolf was appointed as an ambassador for elderly unemployment at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment. But it all amounted to little.
Due to the tightness on the labor market, many companies have now converted. “In practice, we see that more and more companies are hiring people over 50. They have become much more accessible and that offers hope for the older unemployed,” says labor market expert Witjes.
With the elderly you have more stability
That does not mean that all prejudices have been removed, Witjes thinks. “But it is true that if an employer works with a person over 50 and likes it, the collaboration will also be continued.”
Moreover, many companies are looking for stability, as young people change jobs more often during this time. “Loyalty among the elderly is greater. They are therefore willing to stay somewhere longer. And as a person over 50 you can also throw that on the table during a job interview,” says Witjes.
According to director Jos Verhoeven of social service provider Start Foundation, it was born out of necessity that companies are more likely to employ older people. “That really has to do with the shortage on the labor market. An employer recently told me that two arms and legs are enough. That says enough.”
Verhoeven is curious about what will happen if we end up in a recession. “The prejudices about older employees have not disappeared. There is no change in thinking. This is purely due to the enormous shortage of personnel. But the current situation can also cause companies to realize that it is all clichés. “
2023-05-27 18:09:43
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