Age bias in US firms’ recruitment is “astonishingly misguided”, says an expert in employment for older people. This is not just an issue of social justice, says Gary Officer, President and CEO of the Center for Workforce Inclusion, “it is economic foolish short sightedness”. His organisation’s research suggests 90% of job applicants have experienced ageism. “Companies are desperate for skilled talent but biases blind them to the very talent they’re craving.” It is also a strategic mistake. The demographic shift, and the fact that median savings among older American workers are “alarmingly insufficient for longer lifespans” make it vital for companies to integrate older employees into their organisations, yet fewer than 4% actively do so – a statistic he finds baffling.
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