With reference to the letter from “ An active female pensioner” …
Both my wife and I are both past 50, me by lots and her by not so much, and we have found ourselves in exactly the same boat as your letter writer!
If we could have a rand for every CV we have sent off, every position we have applied for, and every interview we have attended, we would not need to work. Both of us are qualified professionals, with years and even decades of experience, and yes, the bones may be a bit creakier than those of some 20-something youngster, but the knowledge and integrity are most definitely still there.
The story of us old timers having more health problems is complete garbage, my wife was at a company that forced her to leave, for three years, without taking one day’s sick leave. I have been with the company I work for now for two and a half years, and apart from taking three days, yes only three days off to have a spinal fusion on my neck, I have been at work every day since I got the job (which just by the way, took four years of looking to achieve!)
By and large, we are honest, we are punctual, we are trustworthy, we actually have the knowledge to do the jobs we were trained for, and we do not sit on our phones/ tablets at every given chance! We actually come to work to work! Sick leave to us is a privilege, not a right to be taken as extra leave.
There are many of us who do not qualify for a state pension, such as it is, and we need to work, whether we like it or not! I for one cannot sit around the house doing nothing, I need to work, both to keep sane, and to eat!
Just because I have a bus pass, does not mean I have become senile, does not mean I cannot do my job, and most certainly hasn’t taken away skills that few youngsters are interested in, or are even capable of doing! My skills, as with many others of my age, require us to use our hands and brains, not a computer!
And contrary to popular belief, we do not mind taking orders from or working for someone younger than us! There are not that many employers out there older than a lot of us!
So dear employer, before you so glibly write us off as too old to be of use, remember, it is us “Oldies” who taught the younger generation, and very often you, how to do their jobs, so why are we now written off as useless, and an unnecessary burden to companies?
Also, please note, that even though we are “pensioners” we do actually require to be paid properly for our work. Just because we are “retired” does not mean we have stopped living and eating! We also have bills to pay!
