01 Feb 2011

OLDER WORKERS IN FREIGHT …ALL SET AND READY TO GO!!

Andy Rimington, Director of MVP's sister division Forward Prospects looks at some interesting trends in the Freight recruitment sector:

Even in these enlightened and politically correct days there is still an ageist sentiment in the recruitment process amongst a minority of companies. We see this sometimes at Forward Prospects when there is a preference stipulated for the ‘younger’ age range of candidates. I believe much of this is a case of “old habits die hard” rather than a thought out strategy but nevertheless it is prejudicial and unwelcome.

On the other side of the fence most people realize, as candidates, that they are no longer obliged to record their age on CVs these days. Indeed a survey of our own database applications indicates that 50% of all candidates no longer include their D.O.B. and, where they do, agencies should now remove it as the law requires before submission to a client! This in itself has played a part in breaking down ageist barriers.

Now there are further forces at work which will help roll back the tide against ageism yet further. Firstly the coalition government has announced that it plans to scrap the compulsory retirement age of 65. It remains to be seen how this will play out in practice but with increased life expectancy, a fitter and more active older workforce and the impending increase in the age we can receive state pensions acceptance of older workers will only improve.

Secondly new fathers could soon be at home looking after the baby whilst mothers return to their careers as the government attempts to roll out the idea of ‘shared parenting’. As such some of our clients may now be less favourably inclined towards the ‘younger’ worker!

Under the plans to introduce additional paternity leave, parents of children born on or after 3 April this year will have more flexibility in relation to their childcare arrangements as father can take up to 26 weeks additional paternity leave once their child is 20 weeks old, provided the mother returns to work. And whilst this new right may, initially at least, be slow on the up take it is likely that ‘stay at home dads’ will become increasingly common.

Within our own freight and shipping sector there have been many redundancies over the last 2 years and a good number of ‘older’ and more experienced candidates are immediately available for new assignments. I hope that more enlightened companies will now start to recruit these people, on merit, as the market picks up. They are all set and ready to go. Call us now!