I'd be interested to hear people's thoughts about ageism and people being being RIF'd for what would seem to be poor performance in the latest round of layoffs.
Couldn't help but notice that the majority of people laid off in my area were 50+ and not all of them were on high salaries either. Funny thing though, quite a few of what I would categorise as poor performers were left untouched.
A pity that employers can’t see the benefits to be had from older workers, eg knowledge and experience. Instead, many companies see them as being past their ‘use by dates’ and an unacceptable burden on their outgoings. Perhaps some thought should be given by companies to what happens when there aren’t enough young people to keep businesses going? When that happens, and it is starting to happen in many Western countries due to decreasing reproductive rates, the so-called burdensome oldies mightn’t be so accommodating.
Layoffs are typically tied to a financial target. It’s likely that the older employees are longer tenured and therefore more highly compensated than newer hires, who are likely to be younger. There are a lot of individual contributors who make as much as or more than directors because they’ve been at TR for 20+ Years, and have high base salaries
Latest round, I was referring to, ie 2018-2020. However, I first started to notice 50+ people being laid off from 2008. Not many at first, and these people were on low salaries.
As for the comment below, ie "They make sure they layoff people in all age groups.". I strongly question this. I've observed very few people under the age of 35 being RIF'd in that time in the area I work. That's why it would be good to hear about other people's observations.
They do provide a list and I have inadvertently seen one from a recent round. That list included people "selected" and those "not selected", average age was over 50 of guess what? and around 30 for guess what? Ageism?
For all you statistically minded people, what do you think the chances are getting RIF'd are if you are over 50? not liked by your manager? and earn over XX$?
Latest round ( from last year?) or has there been a recent one?
Good to see HR are on the case, quickly erecting the shutters.
Thank u HR lady.
If you don't have a complete list of those who were RIF'd with their age included, then there is no argument. Just because people surrounding you were 50+, doesn't mean there were others in other departments or location that were not. This is the way many companies protect themselves. They make sure they layoff people in all age groups.25