Ageism is real.
And here’s my honest on why some employers hesitate to hire Gen-Xers and Boomers today.
1. Cost – Older workers usually expect higher salaries. Employers think, “Why pay you RM10K when we can hire someone younger for RM3K?” What they missed to consider sometimes is the massive gap too in experience, judgement, and crisis management capability.
2. “They’re hard to manage.” – There’s a stereotype that older employees struggle to take direction from younger managers. And honestly, I’ve seen this happen before too. That’s why I always ask candidates directly, “Are you comfortable reporting to someone younger?” Because some people genuinely cannot accept it.
3. Tech Savviness – Fair or not, many employers assume older workers struggle with new tools, digital tools, and fast-changing technology. Especially candidates in the their 50s who were never heavily exposed to tech throughout their careers.
4. Energy & Adaptability – The modern workplace has somehow associated youth with hustle, speed, and adaptability. Quite unfair honestly. At least us Gen-Xers don’t bising2 about work-life balance.
5. Pure Unconscious Bias – Sometimes it’s not even logical. People simply associate younger teams with being “more dynamic,” “more exciting,” or “more innovative.” Even when evidence doesn’t necessarily support it.
Now, to be fair, some of these concerns are valid. I don’t completely disagree.
But Gen-Xers and Boomers also bring exactly what many organisations are desperately lacking today – judgement, stability, emotional maturity, political awareness, and real experience.
The same people who have survived recessions, restructurings, terrible bosses, office politics, and multiple versions of MSExcel.
So from my experience, companies smart enough to see past the bias will end up with some of the strongest people in their team.
They really will. Think about it.
xoxoxo, Proudly Gen-X AuntyHR
