Our exclusive Grant Alexander x OpinionWay survey cited in the article “Employment of seniors: a social bomb?” of Décideurs Magazine!
01.02.2024
The government published on November 21, 2023 the document that will frame negotiations between social partners concerning the employment of seniors. Objective: to reach an employment rate of 65% for 60-64 year olds by 2030.
In 2022, Dares indicated that the employment rate of seniors – aged 55 to 64 – was 56.9%, lower than the European average (62.4%), placing France in 17th position among the 27 EU member states. Negotiations concerning the employment of seniors aim to find solutions to promote both the retention and the return to employment of seniors. The Minister of the Economy Bruno Le Maire recalled on Monday, January 9 during his greetings to the actors of the economy: “You, business leaders, you have a particular responsibility: you must break with this practice from another time – the disguised retirement of your oldest employees. […] In the ongoing negotiation, I therefore invite the social partners to show the greatest ambition for the employment of those over 55.”
PERCEPTION BIASES STILL PRESENT
Currently, many obstacles remain to reintegrate seniors into the labor market. Cautious, managements are often inclined to limit their recruitments. Indeed, a study OpinionWay for the firm Grant Alexander of October 12, 2023 highlights the fact that two HR directors out of three recognize having already dismissed outright senior candidates and two managers out of three say they have received instructions from their management recommending them to favor young candidates. The reason for these choices: prejudices that persist.
69% of respondents to the survey say they fear that seniors misunderstand the expectations of young recruits, 65% fear that they do not adapt well to their work processes and 63% apprehend that they are resistant to new technologies. However, the study also shows a lack of support from companies in this area, notably to help senior employees move towards other jobs or training. Another obstacle regarding the employment of seniors is also noted: their salary expectations.
Henri Vidalinc, president of Grant Alexander, thus comments on the results of this study: “It is necessary to propose modes of collaboration more flexible than the permanent contract, in project mode, with for example for executives and leaders interim management; and adapted formats, by developing part-time […] It is necessary first to work on biases and support leaders and employees, notably via coaching, training, to make mentalities, behaviors evolve, and really include!”