708 days ago

Are you past landing a job at 55? The reality of ageism despite labour shortages

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

From reporter Amanda Cropp:

For older job-seekers like Christine Black, the low unemployment rate has improved her odds of getting an interview.

The 61-year-old accountant recently got shortlisted for a call centre job, an improvement on five years ago when she applied for the same position and didn’t get a look in.

Being asked if you have any health issues or told you are over-qualified, (which she was for the call centre position), can be shorthand for “you’re too old,” and Black says ageism is still a problem.

“Somebody said to me ‘your life experience exceeds our expectations’ ... I know a lot of under-employed women between 50 and 65.”

A third of the workforce is over the age of 55, and the proportion working past retirement age has risen steadily.

In 2008, 15% of those aged 65-plus were employed, compared with just over 25% in 2022.

According to Stats NZ forecasts, by 2043 the labour force will have up to 386,000 people aged 65-plus, almost double the number in 2020.

The Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of age, and unless it is a genuine qualification for a job – such as bar work – it can be unlawful for an employer to ask your age in a job interview.

Read the full story here.

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More messages from your neighbours
3 hours ago

Riddles to Resolve Your Resolution!

Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

I shave every day, but my beard stays the same.

What am I?

Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.

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5 days ago

We're talking new year resolutions...

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Tidying the house before going to bed each night, meditating upon waking or taking the stairs at work.

What’s something quick, or easy, that you started doing that made a major positive change in your life?

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1 day ago

New Year, Same Brain Teasers!

Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

A man was found dead with a cassette recorder in one hand and a gun in the other.

When the police pressed “play,” the tape said, “I can’t go on,” and then there was a gunshot.

Yet, the police knew it was a murder.

How?

Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.

Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.

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