50 years old: a state of mind

How, these days, can we regard turning 50 as a milestone, a key stage in working life that amounts to "growing old"? Let us try not to.

​How do you write an article about the over-50s in the labour market without slipping into generalisation and caricature? Let us try to do just that. If we go by the collective unconscious, being over 50 means being too expensive, too slow, too old, in short, useless. It is time to dismantle these clichés. Imagine if we replaced 50 with a nationality?

We would immediately, and rightly, be suspected of discrimination. So why stigmatise people over 50?

In practical terms, employability is not measured by the number of candles on a cake. More than age, it would be fair to speak of attitude or outlook, because that is sometimes where the problem really lies. Who enjoys working with someone who begins their sentences with "In my day..." or "Yes, but young people nowadays..."?

Whatever the age, working with someone who lacks adaptability and struggles to question themselves is never pleasant.

What supposed "shortcomings" do the over-50s have?

Of course, the social security contributions are different, but contrary to popular belief, nothing changes at exactly 50. Indeed, between the ages of 35 and 44, social security contributions average 10%; they then rise to 15% at 45 and to 18% from 55 onwards. Of course, some will have no trouble reaching for the familiar "You cost too much", but too much compared to whom, to what, in the end? In a society where the retirement age tends to be pushed back, it is hard to imagine that experience could be an obstacle to employability. If you think experience is expensive, try inexperience...

Beyond the clichés: the reality of the over-50s

​So what does a person over 50 look like in the labour market? Andrea, 25, an administrative assistant, gives us her view: "They are an experienced person who motivates me and whom I trust. Working alongside them, I want to learn, and I know I can rely on their knowledge." Benefiting from the expertise and experience of an older employee is indeed particularly enriching. What is more, it is easy to imagine that, given their background, such an employee will be quickly up and running, which proves to be a considerable asset in a society perpetually in pursuit of efficiency.

Alexandra, 31, training and quality manager, and Sylviane, head of finance, both emphasise the importance of state of mind, adding: "A diversity of ages within a company brings real added value; it allows us to share knowledge and offers a complementarity that is particularly beneficial to the company," Sylviane explains. Alexandra, for her part, tells us that "an employee over 50 brings maturity to a team; they have that analytical mind that enables them to make the right decisions when faced with sometimes problematic situations. They are a genuine resource."

"A 50-year-old is an experienced person who motivates me and whom I trust. Working alongside them, I want to learn, and I know I can rely on their knowledge." Andréa, 25

Reading these accounts, we are a long way from the reactionary fifty-something, resistant to change and incapable of self-questioning. Of course, this kind of individual exists, but it is not the norm. Natacha, 29, a trainer and coach, nonetheless puts her finger on a point to watch. "Sometimes I find myself dealing with employees who have difficulties using digital tools, particularly in field-based jobs. These employees feel at a loss in the face of how their role is changing, and this can unfortunately create significant gaps within working teams."

Emmanuel, 43, a trainer who was in charge of recruitment in his previous role, tells us: "I have no preconceptions; I would gladly hire a 62-year-old just as I would a 25-year-old. Age is not a hiring criterion."

In conclusion

The candidate's attitude and outlook will play an important part in the recruiter's decision. Whatever the age, by way of comparison, someone fresh out of training will also fall victim to clichés: no experience, less committed, only thinking about going out. Perhaps if we refrained from turning our own fears and projections into generalisations, it would help avoid the arbitrary stigmatisation of an age. After all, don't they say that age is all in the mind?