Move over "Zoomers" - make room for younger workers

Wow - My Safe Work really knows how to hit some hot spots! I never thought that this conversation would come up in my day and age, and certainly not in Canada but since it has I must offer my two-cents worth. It's true that we may not technically be as savvy as our 20'something competitors, but the truth is - we could be! Folks in my age group are much more health conscience than ever - and probably more so than those 20 and 30 somethings. We know that we need to work a little bit harder to keep our edge and therefore we do! I think it's downright disgraceful that we even consider quietly dismissing a certain age group from the work force. Some of the most powerful positions in our world require a minimum age of 65. That being said, I agree that physical fitness must be examined for work potential, however, if we are not going to prevent those with physical disabilities from being hired, can we in good conscience overlook older, dedicated workers? As it stands right now - most individuals in my age category are ready to end their careers by age of 65, but if for some reason they are not, shouldn't they be allowed a little more playing time? From my understanding it is the younger more inexperienced worker that is falling prey to workplace accidents- although no age group is completely exempt. I feel we do a disservice to teens and young adults by not having them interact with me and my peers until they have to visit us in the old age homes for volunteer time. Just a thought...

Hi Liz- Cito Gaston the new manager of the Blue Jays would be proud of you. Even tho Cito is over the age of 65 he continues to guide the team and bring a calming effect. When other MLB teams refused to let this elderly stateman continue to manage-Toronto gave him another chance-at least for the next 4 months. Unfortunately there is a fallacy that young workers get injured at a higher rate than those over the age of 60. In truth the number of post 60ers have a lost time injury rate 5 times higher than the younger employees. Its hard to imagine this to be possible. But lets never discount the value of experience-we need seasoned leaders to mentor the next generation in many areas of business and life. Even the young Blue Jay hitters would agree to that. Rob

"But is it in the best interests of society for Boomers to push back the retirement age? Rob Ellis wrote about the health and safety hazards of Baby Boomers working past the threshold of optimum competence, physically and mentally." I feel it is in the interests of society for youth to benefit from the experience that the Boomers have rather than simply lose these benefits by putting us out to pasture. I am turning 60 in November and have been working in the field of career counselling and employment for the pat 20 years. Many of the people who come in to see me have no idea what they want to do. Should I just retire and let the 20 somethings or 30 somethings who have no real experience in dealing with employment and the working world take over and tell the 50 year old men who have just been laid off from their manufacturing job where they have been for 30 years and who have less than a grade 12 education what they should be doing??? "I'm not saying the 60+ folks should disappear form the face of the earth into gated communities down south and golf course homes - just that they should consider the generation that's next in line for jobs... and the very real possibility that their fading eyesight, lower energy levels and, let's face it, cognitive decline, make them less than ideal candidates for many careers." And what about those of us who can not afford to retire? Who have not worked for a company that has a pension plan? Who have been working at jobs that pay a minimal wage and have been raising their families and have not been able to save? Or those who ended up divorced after mid-life and have had to pay out much of what they thought they would have for their retirement and who now have to start over? What do you think? Are you a Boomer, or know one, who wants to keep working? What do I think? How much time do you still have? How much more would you really like to hear???? Fran Watson