Comments on: IT staff reductions: A minefield of age bias claims? http://www.hrtechnews.com/it-staff-reductions-a-minefield-of-age-bias-claims/ HRMS, Internet Monitoring, Payroll Software, Time and Attendance, and more Thu, 04 Aug 2011 15:58:56 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc By: Sean Smith http://www.hrtechnews.com/it-staff-reductions-a-minefield-of-age-bias-claims/comment-page-1/#comment-11536 Sean Smith Wed, 17 Jun 2009 20:02:51 +0000 http://www.hrtechnews.com/?p=422#comment-11536 @Phil - When a new system is rolled out, many IT departments have training available for all involved. If a worker doesn't take initiative to get this training and keep their skillset up to date, then no matter what your age, you will fall behind. As much as it sucks to say, older people tend to be more resistant to change where the younger crowd will embrace it. This means the younger people will pick up the new skills where the older worker will not. This is the fault of the worker, not the company and is not specifically age biased. We had one older (non-IT worker) who refused to use the computer for some tasks and would insist upon using the typewriter. These tasks would normally take about 5 to 30 minutes in the computer would take her hours, sometimes days to complete because of her refusal to learn the new skill. I'm all for keeping older workers because of their experience and knowledge but when they refuse to keep their skills updated and fall behind, I have no sympathy for them. @Phil – When a new system is rolled out, many IT departments have training available for all involved. If a worker doesn’t take initiative to get this training and keep their skillset up to date, then no matter what your age, you will fall behind.

As much as it sucks to say, older people tend to be more resistant to change where the younger crowd will embrace it. This means the younger people will pick up the new skills where the older worker will not. This is the fault of the worker, not the company and is not specifically age biased.

We had one older (non-IT worker) who refused to use the computer for some tasks and would insist upon using the typewriter. These tasks would normally take about 5 to 30 minutes in the computer would take her hours, sometimes days to complete because of her refusal to learn the new skill.

I’m all for keeping older workers because of their experience and knowledge but when they refuse to keep their skills updated and fall behind, I have no sympathy for them.

]]> By: Phil http://www.hrtechnews.com/it-staff-reductions-a-minefield-of-age-bias-claims/comment-page-1/#comment-3210 Phil Tue, 25 Nov 2008 21:50:35 +0000 http://www.hrtechnews.com/?p=422#comment-3210 Newer systems typically use newer technologies (often taught at colleges). Older workers are subtly denied training opportunities. (Isn't training often one of the first things cut in a downturn?) IMHO, there is a great deal of age discrimination out there (especially in IT and other technical areas). But, companies have been able to successfully cover up that discrimination (so far). What goes around will eventually come around... Newer systems typically use newer technologies (often taught at colleges). Older workers are subtly denied training opportunities. (Isn’t training often one of the first things cut in a downturn?)

IMHO, there is a great deal of age discrimination out there (especially in IT and other technical areas). But, companies have been able to successfully cover up that discrimination (so far).

What goes around will eventually come around…

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