Don't believe myths about older workers

By Andrea Kay

What's so bad about being a worker in your 40s or 50s? Nothing. You've got a work ethic every employer is crying out for and crucial experience that can't be duplicated and that younger workers can benefit from.

Then why don't you think you're such a hot commodity? Why does not a day go by that I get a letter from someone asking, "What can a 50-ish worker do to get a job? Am I too old?"

Why have you reduced everything you are to an age so that no matter how great your qualifications, your age has become this overwhelming hurdle you can't overcome, leaving you feeling helpless?

I'll tell you why. You have been weakened by your fear that employers think you're washed up. You've been brought to your knees by a stereotype that says technology belongs to the young and older workers hate change and can't adapt. And I've had it up to here.

Perhaps this will help. Despite what others may think, you really are more willing to learn new technology than your younger counterparts.

That's right — you are willing to change. In fact, many people your age are actually "fired up" about making changes for the better. That is according to research conducted by Dr. Tracey Rizzuto, who says stereotypes about aging employees are simply not true. In her study, Rizzuto, an assistant professor of psychology at Louisiana State University, found that older workers exhibited more willingness to learn new technology than their younger counterparts, says an article in Newswise.

Sure, there are isolated examples of older workers who refuse to budge from old ways. But her study of the state of Pennsylvania's purchasing agents when the state upgraded its computer systems, showed that veteran employees were more excited about the changes than younger workers.

They saw the value of the changes and felt an obligation and loyalty to their co-workers to learn and implement new technology. She adds that older workers are also more inclined to make changes to benefit the organizations.

Some worry is normal. But don't feed the fear. A more practical tool is to write an action plan for dealing with your worry, says Art Horn, author of "Face It: Recognizing and Conquering the Hidden Fear That Drives All Conflict at Work."

"Make a list of everything that's problematic about the worrisome matter and for each item on the list decide a countermeasure," suggests Horn. Then tell yourself, " 'OK, things are under control. If any of these bad things happen, I have a plan for it.' "

Reach Andrea Kay at andrea@andreakay.com.