A lot of older Ford employees seem afraid to quit and I can't figure out why. They're not even trying to find something else when there are many options available. I know people who haven't updated their resumes in over a decade. Is it seniority that's keeping you here? Fear of losing it? Or something else?
11 replies (most recent on top)
They are all trapped by their pensions. You are mobile if you're on a 401k. Otherwise you're stuck.
Then there is age discrimination.
You are not "young and hip" past age 35 or so.
Ford is not as stressful in some departments, particularly compared to supplier jobs which are more unsteady.
You happen to be in the US? Then you are constantly screwed by your health insurance needs. More than Canada, and definitely more than pretty much ANY country in the EU. Not a good deal if you are older.
And then honestly: many companies might not like Ford employees. And don't want them. A resume coming from Ford might simply not be very impressive. Building a resume that got you to many different places might work as FCG but otherwise you're stuck with your responsibility usually.
If you work in PD you are likely a Michigander or a Canadian. Where else would you go? You are not likely to move out of state. If you do, you quit everything you built.
If you have current health issues, big change can be overwhelming. In that regard Ford happens to be more understanding and flexible. Until the axe comes around at least.
Many engineers nowadays are immigrants. Not all of them can freely switch jobs. Some can, others dont.
It is hard to take older folks of out of "their environment". This is hard to understand for young folks. I get it.
Then likely over the years they have been "hearing stories" at other companies.
And then of course they have absolutely no experience being an applicant to a new job. Which requires sometimes MASSIVE training and skill. Depending on where you want to go.
There are certainly ways to be in your head about this. Of course there could be a company that values the experience and seniority. Kinda depends what you work.
Post ID: @1sfa+1gRfXr12
You sound like the slacker thief in my department who does practically nothing all day/week, and on top of it all, he signs out a company m-plate test vehicle every day to slack off in it all the while using Ford's paid for gas and insurance. He actually flaunts it and gets away with it. Pretty good gig if you can do it. Its like HR and mgmt are afraid of him. Friends and family plan with upper mgmt and HR is all I can figure how he pulls it off. Everyone in the department knows about him and his scam.
So yeah, people like him are a big problem at Ford. Oh, did I mention the product he is in charge of is problematic and causes lots of $$$ and poor quality for the company?
HR and HTT, are you LISTENING!?!? This is the type of problem you need to solve.
Where else can you do perhaps 12 hours per week of actual work for $100k + salary???
If you leave, you will have to produce, travel, and work hard.
Go ahead - tell me this is not true - I spent 33 years in PD - loved working for Ford!! Man - easy money all day/every day.
Jobs are hard to find for older workers. Inflation. The cost of everything is higher. The older you are, it is harder it is to take chances on your wage. Mortgages, children secondary education and the bank of mom and dad. The older you are the more pain you feel. Knees, hips, arthritis. Thinking of retirement? Again, inflation taking a big bite of your retirement income. Retirement benefits suck when you need it the most. Working a few more years increases your pension amount. Sick spouse? need the steady money and more, need the benefits. Yes, the job may not be the same, but being older makes it all harder.
"All of automotive will start leaving the US to across all the open borders for cheaper wages. Work from home? Companies can get work from anywhere."
Absolutely and 100% incorrect. Perhaps in computer administration, but not in engineering, and especially design. They've tried it for 40+ years, with zero success. The only field they've found any success, is in IT and coding.
Everyone that learns anything in design or engineering, splits the moment they learn something. They'll jump for a nickel. Why? Because 3rd world talent brings 3rd world results. We've seen it for decades, and it's the one failure corporate hasn't found a solution to, despite their many attempts at 3rd world Tech Centers.
You can't teach people brought up in the stone age, to learn things that are being taught in the rocket and information age.
They don't want to leave because they are "Hating" and/or "afraid"; that is a subject comment.
How did you come to the conclusion of "hating or afraid"? The older more experienced employees know that there is nowhere to go. All of automotive will start leaving the US to across all the open borders for cheaper wages. Work from home? Companies can get work from anywhere.
They don't want to leave because they are "Hating" and/or "afraid"; that is a subject comment.
How did you come to the conclusion of "hating or afraid"? The older more experienced employees know that there is nowhere to go. All of automotive will start leaving the US to across all the open borders for cheaper wages. Work from home? Companies can get work from anywhere.
looking forward to severe recession where ford is cut in half
I'd like to thank HR for their concern in asking here so that they can working on removing the rest of the factors that keep those evil old pension eligible people from leaving of their own accord. Surely the company will be saved through inexperienced woke hires who know they'll succeed if they just really, really want it.
@OP. I agree with @eci+1gRfXr12. Besides, there is no longer a healthy job market. Some of the people changing jobs now may get caught in the recession layoffs (Last in First Out).
Retirement security through their pension. It is hard to walk away from $500k+ as an older individual. Where can you make up that difference at this stage in life? Older employees are also likely to face age discrimination issues and / or the issue of being over-qualified when applying for new positions.