Some employers see perks of hiring older workers

9/13/2013

Older people searching for jobs face stereotypes that they lack the speed, technology skills and dynamism of younger applicants. But with many aging baby boomers staying in the workforce longer, some employers are finding older workers are ideal hires.

About 200 companies, from Google to AT&T, have signed an AARP pledge recognizing the value of experienced workers and vowing to consider applicants 50 and older. Hundreds of other companies have done the same, informally, after positive experiences hiring older people.

Experts say stereotypes about older workers are typically unfounded and statistics show older workers outpace younger ones in most metrics.

Nevertheless, surveys show older people believe they experience age discrimination in the job market. Although unemployment is lower among older workers, long-term unemployment is far higher.