Employment at 60. Is age a barrier?

[macp]

Off the back of my other thread regarding my ongoing battle with my current employer for flexible working. And thanks to all who took the time to reply.

I’m almost 60 and while I’m still active and in fairly good shape, I’m aware that statutory retirement age is not far off. Do employers realistically consider applicants around this age. Or is it an uphill battle due to concerns about longevity in the role.

Whilst I think I know the answer. I would really welcome & appreciate any insight or experience from others in a similar position.

Thanks in advance.

[MustangGT]

All I can tell you about is my experience. Recently made redundant, I turn 66 later this year, applied for multiple roles directly and through an agent.

Two weeks ago I received 3 job offers in 4 hours. I am a qualified accountant and systems specialist. One role was management accounts based, the other 2 were systems.

[NoPackDrill]

I’m only very slightly behind you, and feel that I’ve never been in a better position to pick and choose jobs. It’s partly demand in a fairly niche field, but also I feel more likely to have actually done the “desirables” on a job spec, since I’ve had more time to do them in!

[macp]

It’s a good point guys if you have sought after skills. I’m no specialist particularly. I work in the electric motor industry. I am sales & tech support and also carry out light modifications and repairs. But no HNC or HND. What that transfers into I’m not sure. Maybe it doesn’t have to. And go into something different. But that’s probably harder still at my age I guess.

[A500leroy]

I'm sure you could drive the Waitrose van if it pays enough.

[macp]

A500leroy said:

I'm sure you could drive the Waitrose van if it pays enough.

Absolutely. And all those kind of jobs, stacking shelves or B&Q. Would be available to me. But can’t see that the pay would be anything like I currently earn sadly.

[Regbuser]

macp said:

It s a good point guys if you have sought after skills. I m no specialist particularly. I work in the electric motor industry. I am sales & tech support and also carry out light modifications and repairs. But no HNC or HND. What that transfers into I m not sure. Maybe it doesn t have to. And go into something different. But that s probably harder still at my age I guess.

Plenty of motor factors and rewinders around the country. Let's say you didn't work for Sulzer, then there's several of their locations you could transfer your skills into. But do you want to? Driving a delivery van, as suggested could give you the variety and pick up you need!

[macp]

Regbuser said:

macp said:

It s a good point guys if you have sought after skills. I m no specialist particularly. I work in the electric motor industry. I am sales & tech support and also carry out light modifications and repairs. But no HNC or HND. What that transfers into I m not sure. Maybe it doesn t have to. And go into something different. But that s probably harder still at my age I guess.

Plenty of motor factors and rewinders around the country. Let's say you didn't work for Sulzer, then there's several of their locations you could transfer your skills into. But do you want to? Driving a delivery van, as suggested could give you the variety and pick up you need!

Thanks Reg
Good company Sulzer although I only them through their pump division. I might have a little. Look at them. But your right if I could drive a van for what I earn now it would be a no brainier. That was the plan in a couple years time. When my mortgage is paid up.

[Regbuser]

NP, the other angle you could look at is a bit of part-time motor install trouble shooting. Things that commonly go awry, as you well know..
[Wrong rotation
Incorrect number of poles against original spec
Wired star instead of delta, and vice versa
S/D connections messed up
Wrong overloads, fudged overloads
No earth
Inappropriate glanding
Seals and bushes knackered
Bearings ditto
Poor/no alignment from motor to driven load
Over lubed
etc., and that's before you start looking at d.c. or specialist motor applications.]
Severe skills shortage in industry means that could be a nice little niche earner.
Make sure all your existing employer's customers and suppliers know you're setting up a consultancy.
Your employer might have to sit down and offer a generous gardening leave package..
Check your employment contract as regards anti-competitor clause though.

[SwissJonese]

My dad is a steward at 75. He loves meeting all the people, does stewarding for cricket, rugby, and music events. He could work everyday if he wanted to as no end of work. People are happy to employee him as he is always on time, always available at short notice and more importantly actually turns up for work.

[macp]

Regbuser said:

NP, the other angle you could look at is a bit of part-time motor install trouble shooting. Things that commonly go awry, as you well know..
[Wrong rotation
Incorrect number of poles against original spec
Wired star instead of delta, and vice versa
S/D connections messed up
Wrong overloads, fudged overloads
No earth
Inappropriate glanding
Seals and bushes knackered
Bearings ditto
Poor/no alignment from motor to driven load
Over lubed
etc., and that's before you start looking at d.c. or specialist motor applications.]
Severe skills shortage in industry means that could be a nice little niche earner.
Make sure all your existing employer's customers and suppliers know you're setting up a consultancy.
Your employer might have to sit down and offer a generous gardening leave package..
Check your employment contract as regards anti-competitor clause though.

Good thinking here and I have certainly seen all of those issues more than a few times. Although I only see the motor in our workshop where the customer ihas returned it. And claiming a warranty failure.

[Sy1441]

Just made a hire for a new administrator for one of my compnanies and she's a very young 63.

[GloverMart]

I was a courier for 20 years, both PAYE and self employed, and packed it in when the Clean Air Zone came in to Bristol.

I took the first job I could in order to keep some money rolling in and I've now been there just over two years. Salary is £26k approx. and it's sports administration, something I thought would interest me and keep me motivated. The job could be done completely WFH but it's contracted three days a week in the office which involves a commute around the ring road for me.

The longer I work there, the less I enjoy it and I've been applying for other jobs fairly regularly now for around a year or so. I'm now 57 and generally only apply for jobs that (a) I'll enjoy doing and (b) I think I have a realistic chance of getting. So far, I'd say I've applied for 25-30 jobs and not had a single interview, they've all been straight "no's" - in many cases, it's a very similar role to what I'm presently doing and in all cases, I've made sure I am suitably qualified to do it.

I'll be honest, obviously I can't prove it, but I'm sure my age counts against me. Why would you appoint someone of my age when someone younger, fitter, brighter and likely to stay longer, is available? In my 40's, I was competing against folk in their 20's and 30's whereas now, everyone else is a competitor.

[Countdown]

Re: "age being a barrier" I think it depends on how much training is required to get somebody up to speed in that role and then assessing what the "payback period" is.

For example if you were recruiting for an Accountant you wouldn't take on somebody who would need 2-4 years training but would be retiring in 5 years time. Shelf stacker and delivery driver don't really require a lot of training/investment by the Company so they should be easier to get.

[Truckosaurus]

Indeed. Even if you hired a go-getting young person you'd not be certain they'd still be with in 7 years (that would take the OP to state pension age) - in fact you might think the older person would be more likely to stick around.

[Venisonpie]

I'm 53 and about do ditch my career for a partnership in a small retail business. One of the challenges its facing is staff churn and overall candidate quality, this industry will always suffer transience due to its very nature. However I feel a different approach might yield better results and will look to focus on the retired, semi retired or career downsize sector recognising the value this individual can bring.

I've spoken to various people, ex journalists, soon to retire coppers etc who are all looking for something that is socially rewarding, non stressful and their overall life experience can bring real benefit to an organisation. Hire a balance of these people alongside the more traditional applicants and maybe the blend can offer mutual benefits.

[Rough101]

1) you should never disclose your age on a CV (they can’t demand it)
2) tailor the CV to appear under 50, 30 year’s experience is enough, you don’t need to say 40!

The big FM companies are always looking for site/ shift engineers, it’s changing belts, swapping light fittings,booking in specialist subbies, resetting and cleaning, you have more relevant expedience than half the chancers they employ.

[272BHP]

Just an observation, but all the 50-60 yr olds I know rarely take a day off work and if they do then they usually have very good reason to do so.

Some of the 25-40 year olds seem to take a day off every single week for whatever and that is over and above annual leave. Even when they are online they are rarely contactable, send them a direct message and you might get a reply an hour or two later.

Putting in a decent shift seems to be a Gen X thing. And all that guff about being set in their ways and unwilling to embrace new technologies is nonsense as well - work ethic and accountability usually comes along with a healthy dose of natural curiosity.

[ThingsBehindTheSun]

272BHP said:

Just an observation, but all the 50-60 yr olds I know rarely take a day off work and if they do then they usually have very good reason to do so.

Some of the 25-40 year olds seem to take a day off every single week for whatever and that is over and above annual leave. Even when they are online they are rarely contactable, send them a direct message and you might get a reply an hour or two later.

51 here, in the 8 years I have worked at my current company I have had one day off sick. Other people in their 20s and 30s seem to constantly have a couple of days off sick every few months.

Either that or they can't join a work call because they are picking up their children from school. I have called some of them before in work time and they will be doing their personal chores such as waiting for their car to be services/MOT'd.

I am really hoping I can see this job out for the next 8 or 9 years and not have to try and find another job in my late 50s. Also I REALLY don't want to have to resort to working in Tesco or being a delivery driver as nobody else will employ me. Plus there are no easy, stress free jobs anymore, all employers want their pound of flesh.

60 and I am done, I never want to work past this point.

[Countdown]

Older employees call in sick more than their younger counterparts