Dispelling The Myths
A $4 million, 5-year study conducted by the Commonwealth Fund, a private New York philanthropic organization, concluded that Americans over 55 are an undervalued, disregarded, and untapped resource. It's just one of at least a dozen studies conducted since the mid-1950s that debunk commonly held myths about older workers. Even the experts who have studied the issue admit these myths are ingrained; they defy logic and hard data. Let's look at a few big ones.
Myth: Older workers are expensive.
Reality: Their health-care costs are about the same as those of younger workers. Also, older workers have fewer dependents than younger workers. Studies conclude that human resources professionals do not perceive the cost of older workers to be a problem. In fact, they see such workers as being cost-effective, thus overwhelmingly supporting the notion that the cost of older workers is justified when you consider their value to the company.
Myth: Older workers are not as productive as younger workers.
Reality: They're more productive because they make fewer mistakes.
Myth: Older workers have more on-the-job accidents.
Reality: They're more careful and have fewer accidents than younger workers.
Myth: With higher rates of absenteeism and turnover, older workers are generally more unreliable than younger workers.
Reality: Compared with younger workers, older workers are five times more likely to stay on the job.
Myth: Older workers are resistant to change and less willing to accept technological advances.
Reality: A recent IBM study found that workers over 45 adapt more easily to job change than do younger ones. What is often diagnosed as resistance to new ideas among older workers is actually a skepticism borne of experience.
Myth: Older workers use outmoded work methods.
Reality: They utilize more advanced skills, learn faster, and are more open to adopting new work methods than younger workers.
Myth: Older workers have a poor attitude toward their work.
Reality: With many years of experience behind them, they tend to be more secure about themselves. Harvey Sterns and Michael McDaniel, specialists in industrial gerontology at the University of Akron, report that older workers tend to be more satisfied with their jobs and have a stronger work ethic than younger workers.
What's more, older workers know their priorities and don't feel they have to prove themselves. Unlike younger workers, they've tamed their egos, which is no simple feat.
Myth: Older workers don't take criticism well.
Reality: Unlike their younger counterparts, older workers are more open to criticism, leading to self-improvement.
Myth: Older workers are opinionated and set in their ways, and thus don't work well in group situations.
Reality: Savvy about group dynamics, older workers are better equipped to sidestep the booby traps of organizational politics. They've mastered the art of playing corporate games. That is only part of the story. Unlike younger workers, older workers offer multiple skills, an attribute prized by small- to medium-size employers that need workers who can wear more than one hat.
More importantly, older workers are generally considered to be more creative and better problem solvers. According to researchers, on-the-job creativity takes 10 percent inspiration and 90 percent perspiration. Seasoned older workers are more apt to stick with a problem until it's solved. They've learned the benefits of sweat equity. Put it all together and it's easy to see why older workers make incredible mentors. They've been playing that role since Adam landed his first corporate job. In the divine order of things, that's the way it ought to be. Just as kids depend on their parents to explain the ways of the world to them, older workers will always be well-springs of knowledge for younger colleagues. Not even age-bias barriers can prevent that from happening.
You're Not Getting Older-You're Getting Better!
Read that heading again. Now say it aloud. In fact, open your window and scream it to anyone who'll listen. Don't be concerned if anyone hears you or not. Most important is your believing it. You're not losing your edge; you're getting better. Make that the affirmation and let it be the motif guiding your life. Tattoo it on to your psyche and you'll never doubt your abilities again.
