73% of over-50s feel overlooked by employers, research finds  

Nearly three-quarters (73%) of employees over 50 reported feeling overlooked for promotions because of their age. 

A survey by talent solutions firm Robert Walters highlighted that professionals over 50 were increasingly disregarded in their current roles and while seeking new positions. 

The Centre for Ageing Better indicated that individuals over 50 make up 42% of the 1.2 million people with long-standing health conditions who are not employed but would like to work.

Habiba Khatoon, director of Robert Walters Midlands, said: “With the number of over-50s in the jobs market still not returning to pre-pandemic levels and increasing prolonged illness and care responsibilities spiking levels of economic inactivity within this group, we quickly begin to see an issue which needs to be addressed.” 

For over-50s seeking new jobs, many felt they lost out due to assumptions that they were ‘overqualified’ (43%), had high salary expectations (25%), were not seen as a ‘long-term’ hire (17%), or were perceived as not fitting into company culture (15%). 

59% of professionals over 50 in the UK believed their age prevented them from being considered for training or upskilling opportunities.

However, 66% of professionals across all age groups felt that continuous learning and reskilling were crucial in today’s job market.

The Robert Walters survey also showed that 65% of professionals of all ages believed including their age on CVs negatively impacted their chances of securing a new position, while 41% reported omitting their graduation dates for the same reason.