Last week the Dutch Institute for Human Rights published a new report; About age discrimination in job offers. They estimate between 40k and 60k vacancy descriptions - out of a total of 1.8 million researched - are scaring away older job-seekers to apply for the job. We are talking about a few percent so we could say: nothing is wrong.

However, we have this rule in - my country - the Netherlands: Age discrimination is not allowed! Therefore, every single occurance is one too many. Vacancies asking for young employees scare older job-seekers; They will therefore apply less quickly or not at all; Especially the age group of 55+ can easily be discouraged, according to the explanations given by the Institute.

But what if a company simply does not want an older employee to fill the position? Isn't it just fair to write this in the job description? Is that criminal behaviour? No no no. Looking for an ambitious youngster to strengthen the team? A fresh mind just coming out of school wanting to explore and learn the world? Pure discrimination.

_{© Julia Holian & Associates (source)}

Because, according to the Dutch Institute for Human Rights, the decision to apply is heavily based on the age requirement rather than salary, travel requirements and type of contract. And older job-seekers have a hard time on the job market already. They are more often long-term unemployed and have a smaller chance of finding a job.

That maybe true, however censoring job opening descriptions will not change anything. Even when age is not communicated in the job application, wait until the first meeting and the decision is made anyway in favour of the type of person, and age group, the company is searching for. Simply a "you are not the person we are looking for" is a sufficient response and nobody can do anything against that.

Fortunately, we see more and more companies and agencies focussing on the more experienced age groups. Especially in technical jobs as well as the handcraft jobs, the shortage in personnel is increasing by the day. No problems in these segments. Applying Darwin's survival of the fittest, it will not be difficult for those who invest in re-eduction to find a position. It is simply a matter of adapting.

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